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Corporal Johnathan Moore and Private Sean McDonald

The MOD has named the two Scots soldiers killed in Afghanistan.  The MOD reports:

It is with sadness that the Ministry of Defence must name Corporal John Moore and Private Sean McDonald The Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (1 SCOTS), part of the 3 RIFLES Battle Group, who were killed in Afghanistan on Sunday 7 February 2010.

Corporal Johnathan Moore

Corporal John Moore, The Royal Scots Borderers 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland

Corporal Johnathan Moore was born in Bellshill, Lanarkshire on 2 July 1987. He went to Hamilton Grammar School before enlisting and going to the Army Foundation College in Harrogate in 2004.

He completed a years training, designed to promote junior leadership, before going to the Infantry Training Centre, Catterick for his phase two, infantry specific, training. He joined The Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment) in March 2005 and since then has been on two tours of Iraq.

Corporal Moore deployed as a Section Commander with B Company, The Royal Scots Borderers 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, part of the 3 RIFLES Battle Group, to Sangin in October 2009.

His company is operating mainly from Patrol Base Wishtan in the Sangin area of Helmand Province, and has been conducting operations to provide security and development to the local nationals, whom they live amongst.

Corporal Moore was commanding his section on a routine night patrol to the south of the Company Base on the evening of the 7 February when an IED detonated killing him and his lead man.

Private Sean McDonald

Private Sean McDonald, The Royal Scots Borderers 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland

Private Sean McDonald was born in Toronto on 5 October 1983. He attended Currie Community High School in Edinburgh before enlisting into the Army and joining the Army Foundation College in Harrogate at the age of 16.

Following a year’s initial training, he completed his Infantry phase two training at the Infantry Training Centre in Catterick. He joined his Battalion, The Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment) in 2001 and has since been on three tours of Iraq, and has also served in Bosnia and Northern Ireland.

Private McDonald deployed with B Company, The Royal Scots Borderers 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, as part of the 3 RIFLES Battle Group on 2 October 2009. His Company is operating mainly from Patrol Base Wishtan in the Sangin District of Helmand Province, which previously saw significant activity over the summer of 2009.

Private McDonald, as a senior soldier, was responsible for clearing the ground of improvised explosive devices to allow both ISAF and local nationals to walk the streets without fear of death or serious injury.

Private McDonald was on a routine night patrol providing security to the local people when an IED detonated, killing him and his commander.

He leaves behind his wife Jennifer, his mother Jacqueline and his brother, Darryle McDonald, and his sister, Ceilidh Spratt.

May they Rest in Peace.

Ministry of Defence | Defence News | Military Operations | Corporal Johnathan Moore and Private Sean McDonald killed in Afghanistan.

Always and Forever

The MOD is reporting the sad news of the deaths of two soldiers from The Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (1 SCOTS), part of the 3 RIFLES Battle Group, in an explosion near Sangin. Apparently these deaths are not connected with the current major attack in Helmand.

The MOD has this:

It is with sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm that two soldiers from The Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (1 SCOTS), part of the 3 RIFLES Battle Group, were killed in Afghanistan yesterday, Sunday 7 February 2010.

The soldiers died as a result of an explosion near Sangin, in Helmand province, yesterday evening.

Spokesman for Task Force Helmand, Lieutenant Colonel David Wakefield, said:

“It is with deep sadness I must inform you that two British soldiers were killed last night by an explosion near Sangin in northern Helmand.

“They were from The Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, part of the 3 RIFLES Battle Group, and were on a foot patrol bringing security to local people near Patrol Base Wishtan when the explosion caught them.

“Two of our comrades have been cruelly taken from us but their bravery and fortitude will not be forgotten.”

Next of kin have been informed and have asked for a period of grace before further details are released.

Please note that the deaths of these two soldiers are not connected to Operation MOSHTARAK.

My thoughts are with the family and friends of the dead.

Ministry of Defence | Defence News | Military Operations | Two soldiers from 1 SCOTS killed in Afghanistan.