Home   News   Article

Subscribe Now

Remember West Berkshire's Afghanistan fallen with pride, says former Newbury MP




THE West has failed the people of Afghanistan – but West Berkshire can be proud of its sons lost in the conflict, former Newbury MP Richard Benyon said today (Wednesday).

Lord Benyon, a former lieutenant with the Royal Green Jackets, recalled attending the funeral, as Newbury MP, of Lt Douglas Dalzell from Hamstead Marshall.

He said: “The current situation is tragic, and the most vulnerable people we promised to protect are now going to suffer. But we should feel huge pride in what our soldiers achieved. The ultimate failure of the mission should not, in any way, diminish our pride and respect for our armed forces.

“Our soldiers did not fail – but there was a lack of political will. We had 700 soldiers there and they could not stay once the Americans left. My son is currently serving in the same regiment as Lt Dalzell and I do ask myself, as a parent, how those who lost loved ones must be feeling now.”

Meanwhile Newbury MP Laura Farris was attending a House of Commons debate on Afghanistan this lunchtime and hopes to express her concern, and those of her constituents, over the future of women and girls under Taliban rule.

She told Newburytoday.co.uk: "I'm gravely worried...a concerted international response is necessary, as well as an urgent refugee response at home.

As well as Lt Dalzell, two other West Berkshire servicemen - Lance Cpl Peter Craddock and Warrant Officer Spencer Faulkner – lost their lives in the conflict.

Lt Dalzell was deployed with the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards in Helmand province.

Lieutenant Douglas Dalzell.
Lieutenant Douglas Dalzell.

He was killed by an explosion in Nahr-e-Saraj on February 18, 2010, his 27th birthday and is buried at St Mary’s Church, Hamstead Marshall.

Lt Dalzell’s death invited tributes from his army peers, who regarded him highly.

Commanding officer Lt Col Toby Gray said: “Had I been a Platoon Commander at the same time as Lieutenant Dougie Dalzell, I would have wished to be like him: assured, confident, utterly professional and hugely popular with his men and held in the highest regard by his seniors.

“He was the ultimate role model and example for any young officer.”

Bob Ainsworth, then the UK’s Defence Secretary, said: “I was deeply saddened to hear of the death of Lieutenant Douglas Dalzell.

“He was clearly a gifted leader and an inspiration to his men, never asking them to do something he had not already done himself.

“He had a promising career ahead of him and had already contributed much to the safety and security of the UK and Afghanistan.

“He made the ultimate sacrifice for his country. My thoughts are with his family and friends at this very difficult time.”

In a statement at the time, his family said: “Our darling son and brother to Olivia and Angus, you touched the hearts of so many. You are our world and we love you with all our hearts.

“You only ever looked for the good in people and kept strong and happy in all you did.

“You are a true hero and we will miss you forever.”

Lance Corporal Peter Edward Craddock.
Lance Corporal Peter Edward Craddock.

Lance Cpl Peter Edward Craddock, aged 31, from Newbury, and of 1st Battalion The Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment died on March 27, 2006.His death was as a result of a road traffic accident in Lashkar Gah, Southern Afghanistan, with enemy forces not thought to be involved.

Lance Cpl Craddock’s commanding officer, Lt Col David Brown, said of him: “You do not get soldiers any better than Lance Cpl Craddock. His loss on his multiple’s final patrol before completion of their six month operational tour of Afghanistan is an utter tragedy. We all felt numb at the news of his death."

Warrant Officer Class 2 Spencer Faulkner.
Warrant Officer Class 2 Spencer Faulkner.

Warrant Officer Class 2 Spencer Faulkner was one of five servicemen who died when an Army Air Corps Lynx helicopter came down in Afghanistan’s Kandahar province on April 27, 2014.

Comrades and friends bore the coffin of the 39-year-old father of two draped in a Union flag and topped with a wreath of poppies plus a light blue Army Air Corps beret into St John’s Church, Newbury.

The family lived in Army accommodation in Burghfield but, after the tragedy, moved back to Mrs Faulkner’s native Hungerford.



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More