A former Dundee-based cadet was last night confirmed as being one of three British soldiers killed in a roadside bombing in Afghanistan.
Private Robert (Bobby) Hetherington, a former cadet with Tayforth University Officer Training Corps who was serving with 51st Highland, 7th Battalion The Royal Regiment Of Scotland (7 Scots), died when the bomb destroyed their armoured vehicle on Tuesday.
He leaves behind his girlfriend Maeve, along with his family.
The other soldiers who died were Corporal William Savage and Fusilier Samuel Flint from The Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment Of Scotland (2 Scots).
The blast happened when the soldiers were on a routine patrol in the Nahr-e Saraj district. Six other soldiers were injured.
Afghan officials in Helmand said the bomb was made with “potent explosives and had metals and other items aimed at inflicting massive destruction.”
Pte Hetherington (25), who was born in the US but raised in Scotland, had been in the Army for just five months.
Lt Col Robin Lindsay, commanding officer of the Royal Highland Fusiliers, said he had taken to Army life “with gusto”.
He added: “He was immediately singled out as a highly effective infantryman rated right at the top of his peer group.”Bargeton’s Blog: Brothers in armsLt Col Lindsay said Pte Hetherington “was a thoughtful and humorous soldier who was always quick to find the fun in Army life and to keep the chain of command on our toes with his sharp wit and insightful mind. He was gregarious and open and this made him a much-liked and respected member of his platoon and the battalion.”
Captain David Mulholland, adjutant of Tayforth University’s Officer Training Corps, posted the news on the Tayforth UOTC Facebook page to alert his former friends among the C Company Cadets, based at Dundee University.
The post said: “Some sad news I’m afraid. It is with deep regret that we have to inform you that one of the soldiers killed yesterday in Afghanistan was an ex-cadet.
“Robert (Bobby) Hetherington was killed as a result of a roadside bomb alongside two comrades. Bobby served in C Coy. Our heartfelt wishes go to his family and friends. RIP.”
Pte Hetherington deployed to Afghanistan on March 9 as a rifleman. During his time at university he became heavily involved in the Officer Training Corps, which sparked his passion for the Army.
He enlisted in the Territorial Army in October 2006 and was mobilised to join 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland for Operation Herrick 18 in 2012.
The MoD described Pte Hetherington as “an intelligent and thoughtful soldier who was always quick with a smile”.
A spokesman added: “Since being mobilised he had been an extremely dedicated soldier with ambitions to attend the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst following his deployment. His intelligence and enthusiasm for soldiering made it likely that he would have excelled at Sandhurst.”
Outside of his Army life, Pte Hetherington represented Scotland at lacrosse and had a passion for music.
“Private Hetherington was a gifted soldier with a genuine natural talent for the profession,” the MoD added.
He was destined for great things, both in his military and civilian life.
“His loss has left a huge hole in his Section and his Platoon and he will be deeply mourned by all who knew him.”
Bobby’s best friend, Lance Corporal Russ MacLean, said: “I first met Bobby on a TA exercise in the south of France in the summer of 2009. I instantly bonded with him due to his infectious and riotous laugh.
“He was the life and soul of the party and one of the kindest and friendliest people I have ever met. My heart truly goes out to his family who will be as distraught as I am.”
The MoD said the men were part of a patrol travelling along Route 611 between Forward Operating Base Ouellette and Patrol Base Lashkar Gah Durai in Nahr-e-Saraj when their vehicle was hit by the IED blast.
They were airlifted to the military hospital at Camp Bastion but could not be saved. It is not yet known how badly injured the other six soldiers were.
Their deaths take to 444 the number of UK service members who have lost their lives since operations in Afghanistan began in October 2001.
Six have died in 2013.
It is understood that Tuesday’s explosion was caused by a particularly large bomb, and officials are looking into whether insurgents are designing bigger bombs aimed at piercing the Mastiff’s heavy armour.
Avid Manchester City fan Fusilier Flint, from Blackpool, joined the Army in November 2011 and was deployed to Afghanistan in March.
A statement from the Flint-Broughton family said: “The whole family is completely devastated. Everyone should know that Sam loved his job and made his whole family and everyone that knew him very proud.
“Sam was always the life and soul of the party, a real ladies’ man, witty funny, the real cheeky chappy. He was a loving son, the protective brother, courageous nephew, the caring uncle, the loyal grandson that anyone would wish to have.”
The last time so many British soldiers were killed in one incident was last March, when six died after their Warrior armoured vehicle was blown up by a massive IED about 25 miles north of Lashkar Gah.
Prime Minister David Cameron said the country had paid a “very high price” for its work in Afghanistan. But he maintained it was vital in making sure the country “doesn’t again become a haven for terrorists”.
Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond said: “This incident demonstrates once again the dangers faced by our armed forces, often on a daily basis, and they deserve our deepest gratitude and respect for the job they do in some of the most difficult and trying circumstances imaginable.”