• welcome
• add a person
• find a person
• Memorial Book
• Home

• Contact
• :
• F.A.Q
• :
• Sitemap

Captain Ben Babington-Browne

565205 Captain Ben Babington-Browne from 22 Engineer Regiment, Royal Engineers, died in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan on Monday 6 July 2009.

The incident took place whilst on takeoff in Zabul province at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Mescall, on the afternoon of 6 July 2009. Two Canadian soldiers were also killed in the crash. Captain Babington-Browne was working in the ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) Headquarters of Regional Command (South) and was visiting FOB Mescall as part of an ISAF team to undertake an engineering survey of the Romanian FOB.

Captain Ben Babington-Browne was born on 17 October 1981 and grew up in Maidstone. After graduating from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and completing the Royal Engineers Troop Commanders' Course he joined 22 Engineer Regiment in April 2007. He deployed shortly afterwards to Iraq as a Troop Commander in 5 Armoured Engineer Squadron where he quickly showed that he was an exceptionally gifted leader. It was a demanding tour but he thrived in that environment, earning the respect of all who served with him there. Once Captain Babington-Browne returned from Iraq he was selected to run the Regimental Junior Non-Commissioned Officers' Cadre; a testing course which trains and prepares Sappers for promotion to Lance Corporal. As Cadre Officer he was an exemplary model of leadership for the Sappers on the course and in many ways will have influenced those young soldiers for the rest of their careers. He leaves behind his mother Nina, of Maidstone, as well as his brother Daniel.

Captain Ben Babington-Browne's mother Nina issued the following statement:

"Ben is a much loved son, brother and nephew who had a huge personality and will be so missed by his family and friends who are all heartbroken by his untimely death. One of the brightest stars in the firmament has been lost in the line of a duty which was second only to his love for his family and friends. We are all immensely proud of all his considerable achievements in his short life. God bless and keep him."

Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Noble Royal Engineers, Commanding Officer 22 Engineer Regiment, said:

"Captain Ben Babington-Browne Royal Engineers was an outstanding officer who had an extremely bright future in the British Army. Everyone in 22 Engineer Regiment is shocked and saddened beyond measure by his tragic death in Afghanistan. He was a credit to his family and the many friends who surrounded him. In the midst of our loss we can only imagine the depth of his loved ones' grief, they will forever remain in our thoughts and prayers."

Brigadier Chris Tickell Royal Engineers, Deputy Commander British Forces Afghanistan, said:

"Captain Ben Babington-Browne was a rising star who had stamped his mark early as a Troop Commander in the Royal Engineers. It is immensely sad to lose a man of such unique and manifest talent and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones."

Brigadier General John Nicholson, Deputy Commander, Regional Command (South), said:

"Captain Ben Babington-Browne was commissioned into the Royal Engineers in April 2003. He was a positive and energetic officer with a warm, engaging and positive smile. These together with his amazing wit and sense of humour greatly contributed to the morale of the Engineer Branch and the Headquarters at large.”

Brigadier Tyrone Urch OBE (Late Royal Engineers), Commander 1st Mechanized Brigade, said:

"The loss of any officer or soldier on operations is a tragedy, but to lose one of such abundant talent, intellect, good humour, professionalism and selflessness makes Ben's loss all the harder to bear. As his Brigade Commander (and a past Commanding Officer of 22 Engineer Regiment) could I say how much he will be missed by every Officer, Warrant Officer, Non-Commissioned Officer and Private soldier in 1st Mechanized Brigade. Our thoughts will remain with his family, friends and comrades forever."

Officer Commanding 5 Armoured Engineer Squadron, Major Simon Stockley Royal Engineers, said:

"Captain Ben Babington-Browne was quite simply one in a million, and undoubtedly one of the most promising officers that I have had the privilege to serve alongside in my 18 years of service. As a Troop Commander I could have asked for none better, and neither could the soldiers he commanded.”

Friend and fellow Troop Commander, Lieutenant Gemma Mason Royal Engineers, said:

"Ben and I spent many weekends as 'mess orphans' in the mess together, which was typically 'amazing'. I would not be the officer and person I am today without Ben's guidance, support, and most of all, his friendship. My heart goes out to his family at this tragic time."

Troop Staff Sergeant, Staff Sergeant Richie Hines, said:

"My Troop Commander, Capt Babington-Browne, was not only the best Troop Commander I ever had the privilege to work with, but he was also a true friend. He not only portrayed all the qualities that a British officer should, but was able to interact with the soldiers he commanded, gaining their total respect. I will always remember Ben as a true friend and gentleman; simply the best. As a father myself, my thoughts are with his mother and family at this difficult time.”

Section Second-in-Command, Lance Corporal Thomas Goodwin, said:

"Capt Babington-Browne will always be remembered by me as a man who personified 5 Squadron. He was 100 per cent professional and full to the brim with squadron spirit. I worked for him for two years and he was always a man you could go to for an honest answer, and a nudge in the right direction. I'm honoured to have had the pleasure to call him a colleague and a friend. Gone, but never forgotten."