I knew Rupert very well both as a close friend and as my erstwhile boss in BAS. I am sure that I echo his guardsmen and others in the battlegroup in saying that I would have followed him anywhere. One can show no greater respect to a leader than that.

Kind and considerate, hugely professional and with an appetite for work only matched by his love for his family and friends I have not met his equal in any of my years in service. I did though as so many others did marvel that such a consumate professional could move through his career so flawlessly whilst looking like a badly packed kitbag. It was very hard not to buttonhole the man and tighten webbing straps, straighhten his helmet and generally fuss - a wonderful antidote to those who dress the part but fail to launch. I like so many others in NI, Germany, London and elsewhere who knew him socially as well as professionally will miss the baggy jeans, lumberjack shirt and the evenings on the guinness putting the world to rights. Ruperts astonishing calm under pressure also shone through in his spare time, voyages on his beloving sailing boats where he would never lose patience with landlubbers like myself and the other monkeys and our distinct lack of boathandling skills. This calm under pressure showed itself many times on operations and will be remembered by many.

My greatest sadness is that his children will grow up without knowing the man and benefitting from his wisdom and support. Sally his wife will be hurting very badly I'm sure.

AS an officer Lt Col T's thoughts were always that the blokes should come first, had things been different he would no doubt have been hugely pained by the death of Trooper Hammond under his command. A clearly skilled and professional young man who loss is desperately painful to those who knew and loved him. Lt Col T would have been at pains to make sure that his family knew that his loss was keenly felt by all at home and in theatre. I hope that Trooper Hammonds family know that their lad died serving in a unit in which every persons contribution was valued extremely highly. I imagine that the battle group commander would have travelled with a team made up of the best and brightest and Trooper Hammond was surely one of those. Our thoughts and prayers are with you both Gentlemen and with your familes. Rest in Peace my friend there are no more parades today.

Originally Posted by seemonkey

I knew Rupert very well both as a close friend and as my erstwhile boss in BAS. I am sure that I echo his guardsmen and others in the battlegroup in saying that I would have followed him anywhere. One can show no greater respect to a leader than that.

Kind and considerate, hugely professional and with an appetite for work only matched by his love for his family and friends I have not met his equal in any of my years in service. I did though as so many others did marvel that such a consumate professional could move through his career so flawlessly whilst looking like a badly packed kitbag. It was very hard not to buttonhole the man and tighten webbing straps, straighhten his helmet and generally fuss - a wonderful antidote to those who dress the part but fail to launch. I like so many others in NI, Germany, London and elsewhere who knew him socially as well as professionally will miss the baggy jeans, lumberjack shirt and the evenings on the guinness putting the world to rights. Ruperts astonishing calm under pressure also shone through in his spare time, voyages on his beloving sailing boats where he would never lose patience with landlubbers like myself and the other monkeys and our distinct lack of boathandling skills. This calm under pressure showed itself many times on operations and will be remembered by many.

My greatest sadness is that his children will grow up without knowing the man and benefitting from his wisdom and support. Sally his wife will be hurting very badly I'm sure.

AS an officer Lt Col T's thoughts were always that the blokes should come first, had things been different he would no doubt have been hugely pained by the death of Trooper Hammond under his command. A clearly skilled and professional young man who loss is desperately painful to those who knew and loved him. Lt Col T would have been at pains to make sure that his family knew that his loss was keenly felt by all at home and in theatre. I hope that Trooper Hammonds family know that their lad died serving in a unit in which every persons contribution was valued extremely highly. I imagine that the battle group commander would have travelled with a team made up of the best and brightest and Trooper Hammond was surely one of those. Our thoughts and prayers are with you both Gentlemen and with your familes. Rest in Peace my friend there are no more parades today.

Well said, that man.
RIP gentlemen and condolences to the families.

I never personally knew Lt Col T, but I saw the interview with him during the Trooping of the Colour.
As he stood there wearing his H4H wristband, he came across a very professional officer & also as a bloody nice man.

Such a tragic loss for the Welsh Guards, & especially his wife & young kids.
My thoughts go out to all who knew him & mourn his passing.

Cymru Am Byth.

Lest we not forget that another soldier died in this incident either.
My thoughts are also with Trooper Hammonds family, friends, & 2RTR.

RIP Gentlemen.

Tragic. Rest In Peace.

RIP Sir. Another sad and tragic loss. Thought and prayers with all who knew and served with them both.

seemonkey - you expressed it far better than I can, so thankyou. I was with Rupert at Sandhurst and it was great to be with someone who had as many show parades as I did. He took everything in his stride, thoroughly professional and an all round top bloke. It was great to see him on the live link during the Birthday Parade. As well as an H4H wristband he was sporting one for the Welsh Guards too. I believe they are still available from the Battalion. A small gesture I know, but money for those go to a good cause. He will be sorely missed.

Thoughts and prayers with his family and those of Trooper Hammonds.

RIP Sir.

Sir. Yourself and the young 19 year old trooper will always be remembered. We will remember them all! :(

From reading the posts above, sounds like he was a top bloke.
RIP. thoughts to his family and the family of the young guy from 2RTR

Another very sad day!

both of you RIP.