Martin and i met back in 2007 on base at Catterick, although we only speant a short while training togeather he was one of my closest friends, never a dull moment and you always had the gaurentee knowing he had your 6 no matter what, even when your on night watch if you were lucky enough to be posted with him you'l find yourself struggling to stay quiet deu to his jokes and sense of humor.both of us were still ajusting to the fact we were no longer known by our regualar names but by our service numbers a number which is drilled into you so much its impossiable to forget, even when at a bar when a friend asks for your number its hard remembering that they mean your phone not the other! We speant ages in the barracks talking about what life was going to be like once we got out and whilst we were in, the places we would get to go and see the people we might meet and where we might end up one day. I'll tell you now neither of us thought we would be K.I.A and even when we did speak of such a incident we said bet we would be saving somebody or the world. We joind for our friends, family and us.
"Brave as a lion and selfless until the end"  The second of three British servicemen killed in Afghanistan in as many days has been named by the Ministry of Defence as Rifleman Martin Kinggett from A Company 4 Rifles. The 19-year-old was shot dead on patrol thursday 25th February 2010 in Sangin, Helmand Province, while providing covering fire so an injured colleague could be evacuated. His family described the teenager, from Dagenham, in Essex, as "a loving son, brother, grandson, uncle and boyfriend". Their tribute continued: "He will be missed by many, many people who know him and loved him. He gave his life doing what he loved, he always wanted to be a soldier. He will always be our hero." Rfn Kinggett first joined the army in 2007 before leaving and re-enlisting in 2009 His commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Rupert Jones said he had found "his calling" in Afghanistan He said: "His strength of character and values proved a rock to those around him. His brother Riflemen drew strength and comfort from his confidence. He was fearless as the lead man in his section, clearing the ground for those that followed. Secretary of State for Defence Bob Ainsworth MP said: "Rifleman Kinggett's dedication and loyalty is proven by the fact that he died while providing covering fire to allow an injured comrade to be taken to safety. My deepest condolences are with his family and friends at this time." My friend gave his life for anouther, when i think about what i have given up for a friend all that comes to mind was when i lost the hilux trying to recover D'arcys car, i know its not close at all in comparision but having lived with trained with and known such a great person and to hear that he gave it all for the person standing next to him is just wow! its a feeling i feel can only be shared amoung ex and current service man. When we first started training belive me nobody was friends at all, everybody wants to try and stand out. be better then the rest, eventualy after you captin and sgt have gotten rid of the straglers your left with this tight nit group a brotherhood of friends closer then any other people i gaurentee youll ever meet and ready to dive infront for a friend with a smile on their face. its the feeling of such proudness he paid the ultimate price for a friend. When i got my discharge and i was standing at the old gates leading off base back into civi street my sergeant said to me "Jacques you lucky bastard, dont be sad to be going, you see many of these lads might not be comming back and the ones that do won't be the same, you have a opotunity now to live your life anyway you want without being told run duck dive fire, yes sir no sir and all that shit, just get out their and live your life the way you want and not the way these men will be orderd, you have the oppotunity now go do somthing with it" Martin you were a great friend, soldier, you gave it all , i miss you man  |
"I don't know by me writing this will my views on us and back then change, maybe i should be even more greatfull for the discharge or maybe i should of found anouther way to make it back to you guys...."
I once read a quote somewhere that i could imagine sergeant saying to me at the gates in his thick scottish accent "When You Go Home, Tell Them Of Us And Say,
For Their Tomorrow, We Gave Our Today"
For Their Tomorrow, We Gave Our Today"
RIP friend RIP
30024053 KINGGETT
TJ 30023956
No comments:
Post a Comment