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Cpl David Barnsdale

It is with sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm that Corporal David Barnsdale, from 33 Engineer Regiment (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), was killed in Afghanistan yesterday, Tuesday 19 October 2010.

Corporal Barnsdale deployed on his second tour of Afghanistan in September 2010 with the Counter-Improvised Explosive Device Task Force.Trained as the commander of a Royal Engineers Search Team, he was responsible for the detection of improvised explosive devices in areas deemed to be high risk.
On 19 October 2010 his search team were deployed on Operation OMID CHAR - operating in an area east of Gereshk, working towards the construction of a new checkpoint and patrol base to enhance the security of the local population. During the task Corporal Barnsdale was caught in the blast from an IED which resulted in his death.

Corporal Barnsdale, from Tring in Hertfordshire, was 24 years old and joined the Royal Engineers in September 2002. Following his basic combat engineer training in Camberley, he completed his Class 2 air conditioning and refrigeration trade training at Chatham before being posted to Hohne in Germany.
His four years in 26 Armoured Engineer Squadron, part of 32 Engineer Regiment, saw him promote to Lance Corporal and complete operational tours of Iraq and Afghanistan. Posted to 33 Engineer Regiment (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) in October 2009, he comfortably passed his role-specific training and quickly settled into his new discipline. At the top of his peer group and already a Corporal, he was in line for promotion at the earliest opportunity.An enthusiastic football player and sportsman, he enjoyed playing the game as much as supporting his team, Queens Park Rangers. A highly professional and sociable individual, he was well-liked by those who knew him. He leaves behind his mother Wendy, his father Stephen, his sister Vanessa and his girlfriend Helen.
Lieutenant Colonel Mark Davis, Commanding Officer, Counter-IED Task Force, said:"Corporal David Barnsdale, 'Dave' to his friends, was a young, bright and incredibly likeable team leader. He died leading his men in what must be one of the most dangerous tasks in the Armed Forces - that of deliberately searching for IEDs. But, at heart, his family was dearly important to him and at weekends he was often to be found travelling to Tring in Hertfordshire to be with his parents, Stephen and Wendy, sister Vanessa, and his girlfriend Helen. We feel the pain of his loss and pass our heartfelt condolences and prayers to his family and friends."

Lieutenant Colonel Simon Bell, Commanding Officer, 33 Engineer Regiment (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), said:"Corporal David Barnsdale's loss has been a great shock to the regiment. A young Junior Non-Commissioned Officer with boundless potential and the steely understated determination of a man you know you can rely on in difficult times.”

Major Rod Brown, Officer Commanding 61 Field Squadron (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), said:"Soldiers like Corporal David Barnsdale are the sturdy foundation on which the Army is built. His selfless devotion to those under his command and his unique ability to see the good in every situation was equalled only by his professionalism and drive.”

Captain Luke Sinnott, Troop Commander and Royal Engineers Search Advisor, 33 Engineer Regiment (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), said:"I count Dave Barnsdale as one of the finest individuals I have ever had the pleasure of working with. He was a rock for his team and a good friend to all of us. He fearlessly led his team in a very difficult environment and I can think of no man I would have sooner trusted with so much responsibility.”

Corporal Si Archer, a friend and colleague, 33 Engineer Regiment (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), said:"In the time I have known Dave he was always determined, brave and professional in all aspects of his life, which was sadly cut short. He will be truly missed and it has been an honour to serve with him as a friend and a colleague. Our thoughts will be with his family and friends at this difficult time and I will never forget him."

Corporal Andy Byres, a friend and colleague, 33 Engineer Regiment (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), said:
"As a team commander Dave was held in high regard, always professional, considerate and friendly. All you had to do was ask around to find the true Dave, every man had a good word to say as his efforts to engage with everyone were second-to-none. The best Yuka partner anyone could ask for, the squadron and Army will be a lesser place without him."

Corporal 'Bri' Derrick, a friend and colleague, 33 Engineer Regiment (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), said: "The first time I met Dave was on our B1 Combat Engineer Course. It didn't take long, in fact a matter of days before we became good friends. Dave and I were in the same section. He was such an outgoing and fun guy to be around. In our spare time after work we would hit the local pub and have a good laugh together.”

Corporal 'Foggy' McGuffog, friend and fellow Royal Engineers Search Team Commander, 33 Engineer Regiment (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), said: "Dave was a great bloke and a man who cared about those around him, always asking how they were and making them smile. He loved to go out for a curry and a beer or three either for the craic or to cheer you up. Dave will be sorely missed as a friend and a team commander. It's people like him who are the glue that hold the unit and the Army together."

Lance Corporal Craig Davies, a friend and colleague, 33 Engineer Regiment (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), said:"Dave was a brilliant friend who led by example in everything he did. My biggest memories of Dave are playing cards together, and he always seemed to know when I was cheating. He was also a massive QPR fan who took great pleasure in giving me stick when my team, Middlesbrough, were beaten. A legend who will never be forgotten."

Lance Corporal Jones, a friend and colleague, 33 Engineer Regiment (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), said: "From the moment I arrived at the squadron Corporal Dave Barnsdale was very welcoming. He would approach you and you knew that you could have a good chat about things. Always happy and willing to have a good laugh, all that knew him respected him.”

Lance Corporal Adam Muirhead, a friend and colleague, 33 Engineer Regiment (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), said: "I met Dave in 2005 when I was posted into 26 Armoured Engineer Squadron at Hohne in Germany, and from my first night in the squadron bar I knew that Dave and I would be friends for life. I had the pleasure of deploying on Op TELIC 7 and also Op HERRICK 9 with Dave. I will always remember Dave's face when we were stood at the top of the Stratosphere Tower in Las Vegas.”

Lance Corporal 'Phil' Studdart, a friend and colleague, 33 Engineer Regiment (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), said:"Corporal 'Dave' Barnsdale was a great colleague and outstanding friend. Serving in the same troop as Dave it was easy to see his enthusiasm to help others towards success. He always acted selflessly and was a true inspiration to myself and those around him. God bless you Dave, you will truly be missed by all."

Sapper 'Kasper' Mulrooney, a friend and Royal Engineers Search Team member, 33 Engineer Regiment (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), said:"What little time I spent with Dave I will remember for a long time to come. I worked in his team for almost two months during pre-deployment training and in that time I knew I was in good hands under Dave's guidance. As a TA soldier I had to work that little bit harder to make my mark in his team, but Dave was always understanding with me and for that I thank him.”

Sapper Ben Thompson, a friend and colleague, 33 Engineer Regiment (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), said: "Dave was a fantastic friend and one who always kept morale high no matter what situation he was in. My biggest memory of Dave is when we went to KFC and we smashed over £28 worth of food and he was still hungry.”

Secretary of State for Defence, Dr Liam Fox, said: "Corporal Barnsdale died during an important operation conducted by the Afghan National Army to improve security in their own country. I was deeply saddened to hear of his death but I am also very proud of his contribution to this vital work. He was a brave and highly skilled operator with a bright future ahead of him and his loss will be keenly felt by all who knew him. My thoughts remain with his family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time."

Comments

Jsy Gascoigne writes [24th April 2011]:

RIP dave, you are sorely missed by everyone who had the pleasure and honour to know you, Happy birthday mate, xxx

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