Lance Corporal Duane Groom killed in Afghanistan

16 Sep 12

It is with great sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm that Lance Corporal Duane Groom, The Queen’s Company, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards was killed in Afghanistan on Friday 14 September 2012.

Lance Corporal Groom was killed in action when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device in the Nahr-e Saraj District of Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

Lance Corporal Duane Groom

Born on 7 April 1980 in Suva City, Fiji, Lance Corporal Groom joined the British Army in 2007. Having completed the Combat Infantryman’s Course at the Infantry Training Centre, Catterick, he moved to Nijmegen Company, Grenadier Guards, where he participated in public duties and ceremonial tasks at the Royal Palaces. Two years later he joined 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, participating in an overseas training exercise in Kenya before deploying to Afghanistan in September 2009 with The Queen’s Company.

Upon his return he made full use of his time, taking part in the Infantry Skiing Championships in early 2011 and attending a Junior Non-Commissioned Officer Cadre in January 2012. Newly promoted, he deployed to Afghanistan for his second tour of duty on 7 April 2012 as a member of the Operations Company for Combined Force Nahr-e Saraj (North). As well as working with his parent company, for seven weeks of the tour he provided force protection for British military advisors to the Afghan National Army. It was in this role, while protecting his Afghan and British colleagues as they extracted from a successful operation that he was sadly killed.

Lance Corporal Groom was a superb soldier. Fit, conscientious and extremely hard-working, he displayed great potential. Operationally experienced, he was always willing to help others and was widely respected and liked by all. Although quiet and reserved, he possessed a great sense of humour and always had a smile on his face. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

Lieutenant Colonel James Bowder MBE, Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, said:

“Lance Corporal Groom was an outstanding soldier in every respect. Tough, keen, and unflappable, he was utterly committed to his fellows and the cause. We are all tremendously proud of what he achieved during his time in the Regiment, and particularly out here in Afghanistan where he contributed so much.

“His many friends and the broader Battlegroup will never forget this most talented of men. Moreover, we are determined to finish the mission that he so bravely helped to start. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends outside the Regiment at this most difficult of times.”

Major Piers Ashfield, The Captain of The Queen’s Company, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, said:

“Lance Corporal Groom was a dedicated soldier and devoted to the wellbeing of his family and friends. His unassuming approach and lightness of touch endeared him to everyone that was fortunate enough to have met him. He was the consummate professional; diligent, hard-working and unflinching in the face of any danger. The Company will always remember him and we send our heartfelt condolences to Lance Corporal Groom’s family and friends.”...