Many Thanks to The Commanding Officer Lt. Colonel McGovern and the RSM
of the 1Bn. Royal Irish Regiment for permitting the detailed update of
our Brothers to be posted on this Guestbook.
The Colonel can be assured that the visitors to this website TO A MAN
will continue to have the best wishes for the speedy recovery of our
Fine Brave Soldiers and their supporting Families constantly in our
Minds, Hearts and Prayers.
[79] Thu 14 Sep 2006, 15:23pm
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- michael bradley -
from: BALLYMENA
to ally,hope you get well soon mate, as mickey hollinger says we all
grew up together and new each other well.to all the lads out in afgan
F.A.B. BRAD
[78] Thu 14 Sep 2006, 11:16am
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- BILLY BELSON -
from: BANGOR/ CATTERICK
MANY THANKS FOR THE UP TO DATE MESSAGES FOR OUR BROTHERS IN
B"HOSP, KEEP THEM COMING LADS BEFORE COP FRIDAY. REMEMBER THEY
NEED THEM MORE THAN EVER. I WOULD LOVE TO BE ABLE TO TAKE A LOT MORE
DOWN FOR THERE MORALE LETS TRY LADS AND DO THIS FOR THEM. IT DOES NOT
MATTER IF YOU LEFT ONE A FEW WEEKS AGO YOU COULD ALWAYS SEND A NEW
ONE.MANY MANY THANKS . F.A.B.....
[77] Thu 14 Sep 2006, 9:41am
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- ronnie thompson (rtb) -
from: belfast
i would like to pass on sympathy to all those who have fallen in the
regiment. Blly Bellsen or morgo get in touch. RTB
[76] Thu 14 Sep 2006, 9:33am
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- Gerry (Webmaster) -
from: St Helens formally Londonderry
I have been asked by the RSM of the 1St Bn to post this in response to
your messages of sympathy to our brave soldiers.
Message placed on Part1 orders written by Commanding Officer Lt Col
McGovern of the 1st Bn Royal Irish Regiment
Extract from Battalion Part One Orders dated Tuesday 12 September
2006
Thank you all for your kind words of support at this difficult time.
My Commanding Officer has asked that I pass on this message that was
published in Bn Part One Orders on Tuesday 12 September:
�I wanted to report back to those of you who were unable to attend the
Repatriation Ceremony yesterday in Brize Norton. Most significantly, I
was pleased that we were able to bring our three lost brothers home
together at the same time. The ceremony was really perfect �
dignified, stylish and enormously moving. The Families were extremely
strong and clearly drew consolation from each other. Their loss was
clear for all to see. The ceremony was attended by the Secretary of
State for Defence, Mr Des Browne, the Duke of Kent the Chief of the
Defence Staff, Air Marshall Sir Jock Stirrup, and Commander-in-Chief
Land, General Sir Reddy Watt. The Deputy Colonel of the Regiment,
Regimental Colonel and Deputy Commander 16 Air Assault Brigade also
attended. The Pipe Major played as each of our three soldiers was
brought back onto British soil and our Warrant Officers and Pall
Bearers did the most marvellous job.
Private O�Donnell (5 SCOTS), killed in action in Kabul, and Corporal
Wright (3 PARA), killed in action near Camp Bastion, were also
repatriated at the same time.
Ranger Draiva was accompanied on the plane from Afghanistan by two
Fijian cousins from other Regiments. He will be buried in Fiji
according to his mother�s wishes. We shall be sending a party of 8 to
Fiji to say the final farewell. LCpl Muirhead will be buried next week
in Bearley, Warwickshire and LCpl McCulloch will be cremated next week
in Inverness with his funeral being held at Fort George. I continue to
work with all three families to ensure we are doing everything we can
to meet their wishes. I shall keep you informed of progress.
I also travelled yesterday to the Military Medical Centre in
Birmingham. Ranger Matanisiga remains unconscious and seriously ill.
His family are flying to the UK to be with him. I spoke at length to
his consultant. She informed me that his injuries are indeed serious
but that with time and if he is able to remain free from infection, he
still has a chance of making a full recovery. Clearly, however, it is
still very early days. Lt Martin has now been moved from the Intensive
Care Ward and was as lively and chirpy as ever. He still has some
shrapnel which is worrying but his family are with him and he was in
good spirits. I also spoke at length to the parents of Ranger Jackson
and they were hopeful that he might be released home today. His foot
is healing well but he will take time to recover. I also received
positive reports on Corporal McKinney who continues to improve. Whilst
it was a positive and encouraging visit overall, you know as well as I
do that the recovery process will be long and challenging. The boys
will take a lot of time to come to terms with their experiences, both
physically and mentally. Anything you can do to support them is
welcome, please remember them and their families in your thoughts and
prayers.
I also need to say something about all of our families that I have met
over the last few days. Whether grieving for their lost sons or caring
for the injured, they have all shown a humbling and steadfast devotion
to their men and are an example to us all.
I leave for Afghanistan on Friday to visit the men in Helmand
Province. Faugh a Ballagh.
[75] Thu 14 Sep 2006, 7:26am
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- mickey hollinger -
from: CHESTER
F.A.O BILLY BELSON.billy can you pass my regards on to young ally for
me and tell him we are all thinking of him in chester.ALLY its been a
long long time since i last saw you mate. but as an ex pad brat you
will allways be apart of a special family mate remember us pad brats
allways stuck together through thick and thin and we are all thinking
of you so get well soon my mate heres to a speedy recovery mate from
all ex pad brats F.A.B. mickey hollinger
[74] Thu 14 Sep 2006, 3:58am
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- Chris Neeson -
from: Aldershot
Belson, can you please give my best to Ally and all the boys there.
Tell them i am thinking of them and i wish them a speedy recovery.
Cheers.
[73] Thu 14 Sep 2006, 2:21am
����
- gerry stewart -
from: w.yorks
looks like im being forced out of my job here and wish to move back to
either dublin or galway . any help with accomodation for a short time
would be greatly appreciated .i was with the 1st bn signal plt from
1970 to 82 . ill know where i stand this w/end . any help at all im on
01924 451684
[72] Wed 13 Sep 2006, 15:48pm
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- Eileen Bellew -
from: Ballymena
On Behalf of my family Many thanks for your emails They will be a
comfort to me, Eillen Bellew xxx
[71] Wed 13 Sep 2006, 15:09pm
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- Malachy Bellew (jnr) -
from: Ballymena
Thank you to everybody that has passed there condolences, our family
and relations thank you all F A B.
