Be proud of our troops
By TOM REILLY
Matthew Cornish was a Yorkshireman and a member of the Light Infantry Brigade. He died on the 1st August which is Yorkshire Day and also the anniversary of 1759’s Battle of Minden when the Light Infantry recalls its battle honour.
THIS is Matthew Cornish, the doting dad of two who was among FOUR British troops killed in action yesterday.
The corporal, 29 — shown with tots Ethan and Libby — died in a mortar attack in Iraq.
Tony Blair paid tribute to him and three soldiers slaughtered in Afghanistan.
The PM said: “These are people of whom we should be very proud.”
Cpl Cornish died when a mortar round was fired into a multi-national base in Basra.
Mr Blair, on a US tour, redrafted a speech following the two attacks.
Speaking in Los Angeles, he said of the casualties: “It brings home yet again the extraordinary courage and commitment of our armed forces who risk their lives and, in some cases, tragically lose them defending our country’s security and that of the wider world.
“We should never forget how much we owe these people, how great their bravery and sacrifice.”
Comrades saluted Cpl Cornish, nicknamed Pastie because of his surname, and told of his devotion to his young family.
The Light Infantry Brigade
His CO, Lieutenant Colonel Johnny Bowron of the Light Infantry, said his 28-year-old wife Abby, three-year-old Ethan and Libby, one, were “what lay closest to his heart”.
The CO added: “The rest was irrelevant. He spoke of them often and loved them dearly. Matthew was a great soldier, a fine friend and a marvellous husband and father. The battalion is much the poorer for his loss.”
Cpl Cornish grew up in Yorkshire and died on Yorkshire Day — the anniversary of 1759’s Battle of Minden when the Light Infantry recalls its battle honour.
The Battle of Minden during the Seven Years' War in 1759
His stunned father Robin, a 60-year-old sales manager of Pool, West Yorks, said last night: “I have spoken to Abby and the poor girl is devastated. Matthew just adored his kids. He lived for his family and for his fanatical love of sport.”
Abby and the tots are set to fly home from the Light Infantry’s normal base in Germany.
Robin added: “I am extremely proud of Matthew as a soldier and as a son. I supported everything he did and I’m proud that he died a brave soldier. You know it is going to happen to someone but you don’t think it will be your son.”
The corporal was a keen follower of Leeds Rhinos rugby league club and Premiership soccer team Spurs.
He was killed three months into his third tour of duty in Iraq.
This time his key role had been navigating and leading Warrior armoured vehicles around Basra.
A comrade said: “Within two weeks he knew the city intimately. On the night of his death he had led his company commander around some of Basra’s most notorious districts in the pitch dark, with little reference to a map, with an assurance that was a credit to him.”
thesun.co.uk
By TOM REILLY
Matthew Cornish was a Yorkshireman and a member of the Light Infantry Brigade. He died on the 1st August which is Yorkshire Day and also the anniversary of 1759’s Battle of Minden when the Light Infantry recalls its battle honour.
THIS is Matthew Cornish, the doting dad of two who was among FOUR British troops killed in action yesterday.
The corporal, 29 — shown with tots Ethan and Libby — died in a mortar attack in Iraq.
Tony Blair paid tribute to him and three soldiers slaughtered in Afghanistan.
The PM said: “These are people of whom we should be very proud.”
Cpl Cornish died when a mortar round was fired into a multi-national base in Basra.
Mr Blair, on a US tour, redrafted a speech following the two attacks.
Speaking in Los Angeles, he said of the casualties: “It brings home yet again the extraordinary courage and commitment of our armed forces who risk their lives and, in some cases, tragically lose them defending our country’s security and that of the wider world.
“We should never forget how much we owe these people, how great their bravery and sacrifice.”
Comrades saluted Cpl Cornish, nicknamed Pastie because of his surname, and told of his devotion to his young family.
The Light Infantry Brigade
His CO, Lieutenant Colonel Johnny Bowron of the Light Infantry, said his 28-year-old wife Abby, three-year-old Ethan and Libby, one, were “what lay closest to his heart”.
The CO added: “The rest was irrelevant. He spoke of them often and loved them dearly. Matthew was a great soldier, a fine friend and a marvellous husband and father. The battalion is much the poorer for his loss.”
Cpl Cornish grew up in Yorkshire and died on Yorkshire Day — the anniversary of 1759’s Battle of Minden when the Light Infantry recalls its battle honour.
The Battle of Minden during the Seven Years' War in 1759
His stunned father Robin, a 60-year-old sales manager of Pool, West Yorks, said last night: “I have spoken to Abby and the poor girl is devastated. Matthew just adored his kids. He lived for his family and for his fanatical love of sport.”
Abby and the tots are set to fly home from the Light Infantry’s normal base in Germany.
Robin added: “I am extremely proud of Matthew as a soldier and as a son. I supported everything he did and I’m proud that he died a brave soldier. You know it is going to happen to someone but you don’t think it will be your son.”
The corporal was a keen follower of Leeds Rhinos rugby league club and Premiership soccer team Spurs.
He was killed three months into his third tour of duty in Iraq.
This time his key role had been navigating and leading Warrior armoured vehicles around Basra.
A comrade said: “Within two weeks he knew the city intimately. On the night of his death he had led his company commander around some of Basra’s most notorious districts in the pitch dark, with little reference to a map, with an assurance that was a credit to him.”
thesun.co.uk
