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**Skynet** · 02-07-2009, 20:17

He led from the front: Lieutenant Colonel killed in Afghanistan is highest-ranking British casualty since the Falklands

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 9:00 PM on 02nd July 2009
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Lt Col Rupert Thorneloe has been killed in Afghanistan. It is believed his car was blown up by a bomb

The commander of a British Battle Group spearheading the fight against the Taliban has been killed in an Afghanistan road side bombing - the most senior UK officer to die in action since the Falklands.

Lieutenant Colonel Rupert Thorneloe, of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, died when his command vehicle was blown-up by an improvised explosives device.

He is the most senior British officer to die in combat since Lt Colonel 'H' Jones, commander of 2 Para, was shot dead by Argentine forces during the battle of Goose Green in the Falklands War of 1982.

A soldier of the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment, Trooper Joshua Hammond, also died in the blast on Wednesday while taking part in Operation Panther's Claw - one of the UK's biggest co-ordinated air operations of modern times.
More on the link

http://www.mailonsunday.co.uk/news/w...Falklands.html

**BTDT** · 02-07-2009, 20:26

Tragic.

Meanwhile, the BBC site makes no mention of this, preferring to offer crap stories like "Missing cat turns up on TV show".

No, I am not making this up. That is why I am so angry.

Amendment 3 July.

I have since been informed that there was an embargo on the release of the news. I stand corrected.
(Memo to self: check you have all the facts before flying off handle)

**Tytus_Barnowl** · 02-07-2009, 20:27

A brave man, equal to his soldiers. RIP Sir

**FNC1A1** · 02-07-2009, 20:28

RIP

**Werewolf** · 02-07-2009, 20:30

RIP the fallen.

Condolances to family and friends.

Valhalla must be getting crowded...

**Brandt** · 02-07-2009, 20:39

I knew him well. It seems a cliche, but he really was a top bloke all round. My lasting memory of him is standing in a pub in some dodgy part of NI, baggy arse of his jeans hanging down, checked shirt on, with a pint of Guinness in his hand and that big grin on his face. Nobody would ever say he was a typical Guards Officer, but he was one of the best and loved his Regiment. A terrible day for his wife & kids, and the rest of his family, but he died doing the job he loved and believed in. Rest in peace, big fella.

**Whet** · 02-07-2009, 20:43

Originally Posted by BTDT

Tragic.

Meanwhile, the BBC site makes no mention of this, preferring to offer crap stories like "Missing cat turns up on TV show".

No, I am not making this up. That is why I am so angry.

Perhaps you should be more upset at the Daily Mail for not heeding this request from the family

"Next of kin have been informed and have asked for a period of grace before further details are released."

Front page of the MoD site.