Friday 13 June 2008

Two more soldiers from 2 PARA killed in Afghanistan on 12 June


Two brave British soldiers sacrificed to global zionism


Lance Corporal James 'Jay' Bateman and Private Jeff 'Doc' Doherty.

It is with deep sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm the deaths of Lance Corporal James Bateman and Private Jeff Doherty of 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment (2 Para) on Thursday 12 June 2008 in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

Early on 12 June 2008, 8 Platoon of C (Bruneval) Company, 2 Battalion the Parachute Regiment was engaged by the Taliban north of their base at FOB GIBRALTAR in the Upper Gereshk Valley, Helmand Province.

During the exchange of fire Lance Corporal James Bateman and Private Jeff Doherty were killed in the face of the enemy amongst their colleagues and friends.

"This morning, 8 Platoon of C (Bruneval) Company was engaged by the Taliban north of their base at FOB GIBRALTAR. During the exchange of fire LCpl James Bateman and Pte Jeff Doherty were killed.

"They died doing what they had been asked to do, operating in difficult country against a dangerous enemy to make it harder for the enemy to influence the people and give those people the chance of a better life. They had patrolled the area around FOB GIBRALTAR with great skill for 2 months and had taken the fight to the Taliban in the Musa Qal’eh Wadi.

"The Battalion’s memorial stone bears the inscription ‘there is no better place in the world to be than in the midst of 2 PARA when there is a battle on’. LCpl James Bateman and Pte Jeff Doherty wanted to be in the Parachute Regiment and in the midst of 2 PARA in Afghanistan.

"Their commitment to their friends and the steadfast courage they showed as they faced their battle this morning is in the finest tradition of the Regiment and admired by us all. We will think about them, and what they were prepared to give here, and we will think about their families whose loss is so great.

"They will join Pte Charles Murray, Pte Daniel Gamble and Pte Nathan Cuthbertson and return home to where their families and the Regiment are waiting to meet them, and we will continue with our work in the Helmand River valley.

"Much is said about how difficult that work is and how long it may take, but 2 PARA is somewhat older than the Taliban; the Battalion has seen challenging times before and has always succeeded - no matter what odds have been stacked against it. So we will pay our respects and we will ensure that record is kept as our tribute to them.” Quote: Lieutenant Colonel Joe O’Sullivan.


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