Third Bulford soldier killed in two weeks (From Salisbury Journal)

Third Bulford soldier killed in two weeks

10:02am Wednesday 10th March 2010

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ANOTHER soldier from Bulford-based 4th Battalion The Rifles has been killed in conflict in Afghanistan while serving with 3 Rifles Battle Group.

Lance Corporal Tom Keogh, 24, from A Company, was shot while on foot patrol in Sangin, Helmand Province, on Sunday.

He is the third local soldier to die in Sangin in the last two weeks, after the deaths of Riflemen Martin Kinggett and Carlo Apolis, who died on March 4 and 8 respectively.

Lieutenant Colonel Rupert Jones, commanding officer of 4 Rifles, described him as a real star and a natural soldier that “just got it”.

“He was, quite simply, one of the very best soldiers in the battalion and proves, yet again, the sad adage that it is the best that die young,” he said.

“He is the third to fall in A Company in ten days and his loss will be felt deeply. Likewise, back in Bulford, his great many friends will mourn the loss of a loyal brother Rifleman, an exceptionally decent man and one of our finest warriors.”

L/Cpl Keogh, from Paddington in London, enlisted in 2003 and served until 2008 before taking a year’s break and rejoined last year. He was immediately posted to the Reconnaissance Platoon with 4 Rifles.

After carrying out pre-deployment training, he was injured in an accident and remained in the UK to recover, before completing a potential junior non-commissioned officer cadre with 5 Rifles.

He gained the coveted top student award on the course before deploying to Afghanistan with A Company, 4 Rifles, on Operation Herrick 11.

He leaves behind two brothers and his parents, Lawrence and Marion Keogh, who said: “Tom was our eldest son and we all loved and admired him greatly.

“He loved the Army life and lived his life to the full. He brought laughter and happiness to our home and all who knew him.

“Our family has been left devastated by Tom’s tragic death, but not a day will pass without us remembering the happiness and pride he gave us. We love you Tom.”

Lieutenant Colonel Nick Kitson, commanding officer of 3 Rifles Battle Group, said: “With increased insurgent activity of late, the past week has seen some hard fighting.

“It is typical of such a dedicated warrior that he fell while unhesitatingly fighting off an enemy attack with both selfless commitment and determination.”

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