Thread: Death of Rupert Hamer Daily Mirror journalist in Afghanistan

Obviously, my thoughts are also with the families of the injured and that of the families of the US marine that was also killed.

RIP Rupert,

thoughts and condolences go to his wife and children

Hope Phil the photographer makes a swift recovery

Originally Posted by RP578

I worked with Rupert Hamer a couple of times and he was a nice enough bloke if a little clueless about military matters and terminology despite having been the defence correspondent for the S.Mirror for at least a decade.

Surely, that is better than pretending to be in the military and speaking a bit the jargon, or even worse using jargon in the wrong context. In my experience speaking like you are in the club when you aren't just gets people's heckles up.

Roger, wilco, over and out. (Did you see what I did there?)

Thank you PR_Totty for an eloquent and fitting few words. It is easy in the rush or our everyday lives, to forget that there are others who tread a similar path and face similar dangers to those that soldiers face. We should all take a few moments to reflect on our own mortality and share grief with, yet another's, family who wont be leaping up and down and crying with joy when their loved one eventually comes home.

Edited to add: What was his username on here? I'd like to know, perhaps have a re-evaluation of some of his posts?

Originally Posted by PR_Totty

Originally Posted by RP578

I worked with Rupert Hamer a couple of times and he was a nice enough bloke if a little clueless about military matters and terminology despite having been the defence correspondent for the S.Mirror for at least a decade.

Surely, that is better than pretending to be in the military and speaking a bit the jargon, or even worse using jargon in the wrong context. In my experience speaking like you are in the club when you aren't just gets people's heckles up.

Roger, wilco, over and out. (Did you see what I did there?)

Hmmm, perhaps. I don't want too make to much out of it, not only because he's dead, but also because he was a genuinely decent and keen bloke. It's just that for someone who'd been a defence correspondent for a few years by then, you'd have expected him to know that 'Bombadier' was a rank title in the Army, for example.

Like I said, he was a genuinely nice guy and he was always pro-Tom in his outlook and articles.

Whilst I've no particular love for journalists, RIP

It's just that for someone who'd been a defence correspondent for a few years by then, you'd have expected him to know that 'Bombadier' was a rank title in the Army, for example.

You're probably right RP578, but he could probably spell it!

Having served in the RA, I can tell you there were a lot of people in the rest of the army who had no idea it was a rank either!

Rupert was a mate, a thoroughly good bloke, and by his own admission no expert on military terms, but he always made sure he asked the right people to find the answer. He was a bloody good journalist, would always do what it took to get the story, would never make anything up and would never stitch anyone up. The last time I saw him, a few weeks ago, we were having a drink together, he was always good company, always joking and laughing, and like a lot of people known to other posters on this forum, he died doing a job he loved and doing what it took to do that job properly.

Originally Posted by micksmith

It's just that for someone who'd been a defence correspondent for a few years by then, you'd have expected him to know that 'Bombadier' was a rank title in the Army, for example.

You're probably right RP578, but he could probably spell it!

Having served in the RA, I can tell you there were a lot of people in the rest of the army who had no idea it was a rank either!

Rupert was a mate, a thoroughly good bloke, and by his own admission no expert on military terms, but he always made sure he asked the right people to find the answer. He was a bloody good journalist, would always do what it took to get the story, would never make anything up and would never stitch anyone up. The last time I saw him, a few weeks ago, we were having a drink together, he was always good company, always joking and laughing, and like a lot of people known to other posters on this forum, he died doing a job he loved and doing what it took to do that job properly.

This is what an RIP thread should be. Blokes who knew him and shared a pint telling us how it was. I've never been one for the endless RIP threads where people who never knew the person tell us all how it affected them personally. Rupert is coming alive on these pages and he is taking the shape of a guy most of us would have been happy to share a brew with, if there are any more out there that knew him please leave an anecdote because this guy is beginning to become substance to me and that is surely greater homage than any number or RIPs, dusty's in here.

Originally Posted by Markintime

Originally Posted by micksmith

It's just that for someone who'd been a defence correspondent for a few years by then, you'd have expected him to know that 'Bombadier' was a rank title in the Army, for example.

You're probably right RP578, but he could probably spell it!

Having served in the RA, I can tell you there were a lot of people in the rest of the army who had no idea it was a rank either!

Rupert was a mate, a thoroughly good bloke, and by his own admission no expert on military terms, but he always made sure he asked the right people to find the answer. He was a bloody good journalist, would always do what it took to get the story, would never make anything up and would never stitch anyone up. The last time I saw him, a few weeks ago, we were having a drink together, he was always good company, always joking and laughing, and like a lot of people known to other posters on this forum, he died doing a job he loved and doing what it took to do that job properly.

This is what an RIP thread should be. Blokes who knew him and shared a pint telling us how it was. I've never been one for the endless RIP threads where people who never knew the person tell us all how it affected them personally. Rupert is coming alive on these pages and he is taking the shape of a guy most of us would have been happy to share a brew with, if there are any more out there that knew him please leave an anecdote because this guy is beginning to become substance to me and that is surely greater homage than any number or RIPs, dusty's in here.

Well said mate. I never new him personally or had a drink with him but still think he deserves a RIP condolences to familey and friends.

I knew him - albeit a long time ago when I was in Defence PR.

We had lunch a couple of times and he struck me as a quiet, thoughtful and above all else a thoroughly decent chap. He didn't push for stories like some journo's did, he wanted to really learn and understand the military and if that took time, well so be it.

Although I have not seen him in many years I still feel sad at his loss. He was good man,

Originally Posted by micksmith

You're probably right RP578, but he could probably spell it!

Yeah, you got me!

Back to Rupert; I think both he and Phil Coburn were the first British journos to enter Musa Qala whilst embedded with the Green Howards when we retook the town at the end of 2007.

I think both he and Phil Coburn were the first British journos to enter Musa Qala whilst embedded with the Green Howards when we retook the town at the end of 2007.

Yes the story is here.

Also organised a Mirror special Christmas spread for soldiers serving in Afghanistan and their families.

Originally Posted by PR_Totty

I was deeply saddened to learn today of the un-timely death of Rupert Hamer, Sunday Mirror Defence Correspondent.

Not only has the Sunday Mirror lost a fine journalist, but so too has the military. He was on the right side.

Well said, PR Totty - this is sad news.

Sincere condolences to his family , friends and colleagues - and wishing the injured photographer and US Marines the best possible recovery.


Don Cabra