In The News

Tributes are paid to Royal Irish Regiment soldier

Tributes are paid to Royal Irish Regiment soldier

Tributes have been paid to the Royal Irish Regiment soldier killed while serving in Afghanistan.

Ranger David Dalzell died in what the Ministry of Defence described as an “operational accident”.

The 20-year-old Bangor man had been serving with the 1st. Battalion, The Royal Irish Regiment in Helmand Province.

He had joined the regiment in July last year.

His parents, Gordon and Susan, said: “David was a loving and caring son and he was very proud to be a soldier. We are very proud of David as a son and he leaves behind a void that will never be filled.

“He will be missed by his brothers Gareth, Mark and Stewart and sisters Kelly, Catherine and Rachael.”

Ranger Dalzell’s commanding officer also paid tribute to the young soldier.

Lieutenant Colonel Colin Weir, commanding officer, 1st. Battalion, The Royal Irish Regiment, described him as an “extraordinary young man” who had been “much loved by his fellow soldiers”.

He added: “David was a bright, cheerful and popular young man with a core of steel. His presence in the most fought-over part of Helmand contributed significantly to the safety of the population and to the success of our mission.”

 

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