Assoluta Tranquillita: Some Gave All: Lance Corporal Kyle Marshall

Lance Corporal Kyle Marshall killed in Afghanistan

16 Feb 11

It is with great sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm that Lance Corporal Kyle Cleet Marshall, from 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, was killed in Afghanistan on Monday 14 February 2011.

Lance Corporal Kyle Marshall

[Picture: via MOD]

Lance Corporal Marshall was deployed on an operation to reassure and improve security for the population in an area in the south of the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province when he was fatally wounded by an improvised explosive device.

Lance Corporal Marshall deployed to Afghanistan on 17 October 2010 with B Company, 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment. He was based in Patrol Base 4 in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province. On 14 February 2011 he deployed as part of a platoon to a rural area near the village of Padaka.

His mission was to dominate the ground near a recently occupied checkpoint to deter insurgent forces from attacking ISAF and Afghan National Army bases and the local population. At 1130hrs Lance Corporal Marshall was fatally wounded by an improvised explosive device while extracting from a compound following an engagement with insurgents.

Lance Corporal Kyle Marshall

Lance Corporal Marshall was born on 30 October 1987. He attended the Churchill Community College, Newcastle. His hometown was Newcastle, although he lived in Colchester. He completed his basic training in August 2007 and was posted to the 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment. He initially served in D Company, completing Op HERRICK 8 as a Private soldier. He rapidly established his leadership credentials and was promoted to Lance Corporal in January 2010 and assigned to B Company.

Lance Corporal Marshall was an outstanding soldier and non-commissioned officer. He was a leading figure in B Company during the training for Afghanistan. A popular and cheerful soldier, he was a natural leader who enthused all of those amongst whom he worked. He was a keen footballer, passionate Newcastle United supporter, and had played to county level in his youth.

He leaves behind his father Garry, his mother Olywn and his fiancée, Hayley, whom he was due to marry after the tour.

The family of Lance Corporal Kyle Marshall have made the following statement:

"Kyle was a very lively, outgoing, loving and much-loved son. He will be sadly missed by all his family and friends. He was due to be married in July to his fiancée, Hayley. We take comfort in the fact that he is now with his granddad who died some years ago."

Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Harrison, Commanding Officer, 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, said:

"Lance Corporal Kyle Marshall was one of the most popular young commanders in the Battalion. A charismatic, upbeat Geordie, he was ice-cool under fire and a natural leader always. He mentored, coaxed and taught his soldiers with consummate passion and consistent diligence. He was ever-optimistic, even in the bleakest of circumstances, and could charm all he met. He is irreplaceable.

"He died as he lived, at the front, guiding his men, surrounded by friends and at the very tip of the Battalion spear. In the very moments before he passed away, he led his team in the discovery of a huge bomb making factory. Thirty-five devices and a plethora of explosive components were subsequently found in the building. This discovery will undoubtedly save numerous colleagues and locals falling prey to the most insidious of insurgent threats.

"His friends have lost the closest of mates and the most able of colleagues. The Battalion has lost a stunning young leader and a bright hope for the future. Hayley 's loss is unimaginable. We wish her and all Kyle 's family our most heartfelt condolences. Rest in Peace. Utrinque Paratus."

Major Mike Shervington, Second-in-Command, 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, said:

"Lance Corporal Kyle Marshall will always be remembered, and toasted, as a soldier and leader of the highest calibre. Irrepressible, unflinching and wholly loyal, he stood out as someone who could absorb anything and still emerge smiling with a brilliant one-liner to sum everything up.

"He was exceptional in D Company two and a half years ago, one of my very best and clearly destined for stardom. He had formed an unbreakable bond with 3 or 4 others, they know who they are, and they were at the centre of everything we did during that long summer. But underneath the banter was a man wholly devoted to his family and his soon-to-be-wife Hayley, and our thoughts are with them during this awful time. I hope that they can draw a little comfort from the esteem with which he was held, in a Regiment which he adored serving."

Major Nick Copperwaite, Officer Commanding B Company, 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, said:

"Lance Corporal Marshall was a seasoned professional on his second tour of Afghanistan. Always cheerful and enthusiastic, even in conditions of extreme adversity, he served as a fine example to the young soldiers in B Company. A natural leader, he was a resolute and determined man, full of courage and life; a true Paratrooper.

"We will all miss his constant smile, his ability to discover something positive in everything that he encountered and his level headed excellence as a soldier. He will stand tall and proud in the memories of those who fought alongside him. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. Utrinque Paratus."

"His diligence and attention to detail ensured he had been a constant at the front of his multiple. This was exactly where he wanted to be; he led from the front and he led by example."
Lieutenant Will McCarthy

Warrant Officer Class 2 (Company Sergeant Major) Adam Proud, B Company, 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, said:

"Lance Corporal Marshall was a friend and colleague. He will be greatly missed by all members of B Company 2 PARA. Leading Private soldiers from the front was his forte and he was respected by them for his determination and drive. Being a paratrooper is not a job but a way of life and Lance Corporal Marshall had entered into it full heartily, with enthusiasm and motivation which constantly rubbed off on the more junior members of the company. His way of command would always get the best from his men due to the very nature of the person he was.

"With a sense of humour larger than life it would be hard not to smile when doing your job next to Lance Corporal Marshall. My thoughts are with his family and fiancée at the moment and I would like to offer my full support to them. I will never forget the good times Marsh even if they were always in the armoury. Utrinque Paratus."

Lieutenant Will McCarthy, 5 Platoon Commander, B Company, 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment,said:

"Lance Corporal Marshall was so proud of being a Junior Non-Commissioned Officer in the Parachute Regiment. His diligence and attention to detail ensured he had been a constant at the front of his multiple. This was exactly where he wanted to be; he led from the front and he led by example.

"He was unswervingly optimistic. Not once did we encounter a situation that he could not find the positive in. He had an infectious enthusiasm for all things 'paratrooper ' but also a kind heart, always willing to develop those soldiers who looked up to him so much...