Lance Corporal Kirk Redpath

Lance Corporal Kirk Redpath joined the Army in September 2003, subsequently passing out of training to join his Regiment of choice, the Irish Guards. Serving on exercises all over the world, he had been on operations in Iraq since early May. A member of the Battalion’s Intelligence Cell he was attached to Badger Squadron, 2nd Royal Tank Regiment for the patrol on which he died. Although his job as a member of the Battalion’s Intelligence Cell in no way required him to deploy outside his base, he constantly volunteered to do so.

He was an excellent side drummer in the Pipes Platoon and was competent enough with the bugle to be deemed good enough to play at the famous Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London. Volunteering to be a member of the Intelligence Cell for the Battalion’s tour of Iraq, Lance Corporal Redpath was a critical cog in the analysis of enemy capabilities and tactics, contributing to the planning of both Battalion and Company level operations.

Lance Corporal Redpath, was 22 years old and from Romford. He leaves behind his father and his mother, his beloved grandparents and his younger brother Grant.

Lieutenant Colonel Michael O’Dwyer MBE, Lance Corporal Redpath’s Commanding Officer, wrote:

"Lance Corporal Redpath was a larger than life character, well known for his slightly cheeky approach and his cheerful disposition. He was a delight to have working in Battle Group Headquarters. Not only did he bring valuable insights as an intelligence analyst working hard to get inside the head of the numerous factions involved in the current conflict in southern Iraq, but he also brightened up the place; he always had a joke to tell or an anecdote to recount. Only the day before he was so tragically killed he was visiting all the offices in the Headquarters handing out sweets asking after other people’s welfare. He was a very kind, gentle and generous man who genuinely wanted to make a difference for the population of Basra.

"On the night he died he was accompanying a patrol escorting a convoy from Kuwait. Notwithstanding the fact that he worked in the Intelligence Cell he knew that in order to learn the ground truth and to maintain the credibility of his briefings he needed to take part in patrols himself. He had done so on many occasions and his intelligence work was noticeably better for it; but he was also an accomplished soldier and an asset to any team lucky enough to be able to count him among their number.

"An outstanding musician and a very professional soldier, Lance Corporal Redpath will leave a gaping hole in the Battalion. He was the perfect role model to every Irish Guardsman. There are many of us that will never live up to his standards but that will not stop us trying �?we will never forget him. The thoughts and prayers of all members of the Battle Group are with his parents and family."

Captain James Bullock-Webster, the Battalion’s Intelligence Officer and Lance Corporal Redpath’s Platoon Commander, wrote:

"The news of Rederz’s death has come as a massive shock and is deeply saddening. Rederz was undoubtedly a fantastic person, a great role model and friend to all. He was professional, incredibly keen and extremely competent. However, in my mind he will not be remembered for the manner in which he carried out his job but as the person who made us laugh through all the frustrating and difficult times. At moments like these it was always Rederz, with his boundless energy, who made us giggle. Even in the most pressured operational moments it was he who offered to help no matter what the circumstances. Working in a small, specialist team, brought us very close together. We were due to go home on Rest and Recuperation at the same time and he had honoured me by promising to take me out in Romford; an offer rarely made to an officer!

"My thoughts are with his parents, grandparents, his younger brother and the numerous friends that he so often mentioned. Rederz was a classic “Mick�?character who died carrying out his duty in the face of the enemy. When asked, what are the best parts of your job for a home town story to be published in the Brentwood Gazette, Rederz answered “knowing that serving on this tour of duty will go towards helping and stabilising the country of Iraq�? A fitting testament to his selfless character. Unfortunately the article was not published before his death. He will be greatly missed."

Captain Tim Rogers, an Irish Guards officer, was the Second in Command Badger, the RTR Squadron to which he was attached. He wrote:

"Where does one begin when trying to write about a chap who meant so much too so many people? Lance Corporal Redpath had the ability to amuse and entertain whilst sticking to his core business of delivering the daily intelligence picture to the Squadron.

"Each day he would arrive in good time with a smile on his face and glint in his eye as he went about covering the operations map with coloured circles and dots marking areas of interest. His delivery had style and panache that went well beyond what would be expected of a Lance Corporal.

"Lance Corporal Redpath was a kind, caring and dedicated soldier who like all good Guardsmen took immense pride in the work he undertook. His banter and sense of fun was infectious to all who met him and his unswerving loyalty to Household Division’s drill and customs was renowned across the Battle Group. Lance Corporal Redpath’s tragic death leaves a hole in the heart of the Micks that will take time to heal. We will miss him greatly and our thoughts go out to his family and friends at this difficult time. QUIS SEPARABIT."

2nd Lieutenant Matthew Hilton, an Intelligence Corps officer attached to Irish Guards wrote:

"Rederz made an immediate impression upon me, one of the first people in the Battalion that I met, and he gave me a tour of my new home in Iraq, showing me the ‘ECHOS�?bar and treating me to a banana milkshake. An ever generous young man, this summed up his attitude to life. He enjoyed life in the ‘Micks�? was ambitious for his future career and had lined up a series of courses over the coming year to progress both his drumming and military careers. He hoped to play the Edinburgh Tattoo either this year or the next.

"The Intelligence Cell was a fun place to work. Lots of jokes were shared around, with Rederz giving and receiving in equal measure. He had a great sense of humour, giving light relief in all situations. But he took his job in Intelligence seriously, assessing the threat posed by the enemy and giving the best possible information to all who he briefed."

Sergeant John Gavin, the Intelligence Sergeant wrote:

"Rederz epitomised the adaptability of the Guardsman, able to deal with both the “quiet�?world of intelligence and intensive operations simultaneously. He was totally professional in both areas, always letting his personality shine through. He was an affable, enjoyable and enthusiastic individual whose capabilities were seen for what they plainly were; articulate, bright of mind, analytical and concise with his work. He was relaxed briefing his superiors and subordinates alike.

"I will miss the ruddy cheeked young man who bounced into the office, full of the joys of life. He was an Essex boy through and through. He loved being a soldier and a musician, both of which he married well together. A bright flame has been extinguished, all too early; his prime was yet to come."

Lance Sergeant Danny Burton, a member of the Battalion’s Signal Platoon who worked in the same headquarters as Rederz said:

"Since I’ve known Rederz he has been truly LIVING THE DREAM. He was a funny lad who loved his job and always did the best he could at what he was required to do. He kept you smiling when times were hard. He will be sorely missed.

Lance Sergeant “The Dish�?Lyttle, a member of the Pipes Platoon, who was on the same patrol as Lance Corporal Redpath when he died, wrote:

"Lance Corporal “Rederz�?Redpath was to my mind one of the most diligent young Lance Corporals in the Battalion. It was an honour and privilege to have served with him. I know that he looked up to me as the old soldier of the band when I was a Lance Corporal serving along side him. Many a long hour was spent debating ‘the idea�?of the Regiment being bigger and better than any one of us and it was for this reason that my good young friend Rederz laid down his life. He would have done it so willingly. If God spares me and I live long enough, I will look with great interest at any young men who aspire to join the Army that show but half of Rederz’s quality. Only then will I advise them to make an application to join the ‘Fighting Micks�? I am not ashamed to count my friend among the finest of all Micks and I trust that all will join with me in filling and raising a glass to his memory. ‘Quis Separabit�?

Lance Sergeant Jo Bayliss wrote:

"Kirk was a really friendly and kind individual, he was well liked and extremely popular with all ranks within the Battalion. He would always carry a smile on his face and a spring in his step which was incredibly infectious. Kirk was a true friend and talented drummer. He will leave a gap in all of our hearts. My thoughts go out to his family at this time. I will miss him dearly."

Lance Corporal Danny Todd, Guardsman Jack Payne and Guardsman Carl Woods lived in the same tent as Lance Corporal Redpath. They wrote:

"We all shared a room with Lance Corporal ‘Rederz�?Redpath out here in Iraq and for the few months prior during pre-deployment training. During that time we all got to know each other really well. Rederz was a dedicated and professional Non-Commissioned Officer of the 1st Battalion Irish Guards and he was fiercely proud to be so. The junior Guardsmen amongst us always found him to be approachable and he would always offer a helping hand should it be needed. Rederz was a great character and he will be sorely missed by those who knew him."

Lance Sergeant David Wright, who had trained for the tour in the Intelligence Cell, wrote:

"Rederzs was a friend of mine from the moment we started working together in the Intelligence Cell. I will miss his sense of humour greatly. He was a person that could make the most “bone�?of activities seem fun or interesting. I don’t know Rederzs�?family and they don’t know me, but my heart goes out to them. I am truly sorry for their loss as it is so much greater than my own."

Lance Corporal Ian Boulton, Headquarter Company:

"Rederz was a very good mate and knew when to have a laugh and when to be serious. It was a pleasure to know him as a friend and as a work colleague. He will be sadly missed."

From Lance Corporal Tam White, a piper, wrote:

"To all the family, I am so sorry for your loss. He will always be remembered for his big character. Such a loss of a good friend. Gone, never forgotten. With love."

Guardsman Christopher Kiernan, who had joined the Army with Lance Corporal Redpath wrote of his friend:

"I have known Rederz since the 15th of September 2003; Day 1, week 1 of basic training. From that day I considered us to be friends. I am aware he always knew what he wanted from life, especially what he wanted from the Army. He was very keen to be a member of the Drums and Pipes and he would like to have gone on to great things with the 'Micks."

Guardsman Kareem Weekes, another signaller said:

"Rederz was a good mate and he was a laugh to be with. It was a pleasure to meet him and get to know him."

Guardsman Dave Richardson wrote:

"Kirk was one of the happiest people I have ever met in my Army career; he always walked around with a great big smile and was always full of enthusiasm. He would always have time to speak to any person and listen to anything they had to say and help them out with any problems they had. Kirk had a heart of gold and would do anything for anybody.

"He was always very professional with his work and was a very keen soldier and drummer. It will always have been a pleasure and privilege to have known Kirk. He will always be missed and never forgotten. My deepest sympathy goes out to all his family and friends."

From Drummer Greg Scott:

"Lance Corporal Redpath (Rederz) was a good person to know. He would do anything for any one at any time. When I first came to the Pipe Band Rederz took me aside, showed me what was what, and how the Pipe Band worked. He looked after me and any one else who he knew. He was a great drummer; he always had time to take people away and help them with any problems they would have, not just with drumming but everything. I was one of the lucky ones to know Kirk and to have worked with him. He will be sadly missed by the Pipe Band and by the Irish Guards and my heart goes out to his whole family at this time."

From Piper Alan McCartney:

"Whenever I think of Rederz I always see him with a big smile on his face. He was always smiling and always happy. He had a heart of gold. He lived in the same corridor as me and would often call in for a cup of tea or to lend me a DVD. I had known Rederz since I joined the Pipe Band two years ago. Straight away I knew we would get along. I can’t express how I feel about his death in words; I just hope he is in a better place."

From Piper Philip Wood:

"Rederzs loved the band and the band loved him. He was never off the bugle; even though it drove us mad, no one would stop him; he was therefore nicknamed Bugle Major. What I remember most is that he was friends with everyone, he would help you when you were down to get back on your feet. He was always polite and wouldn’t say a bad word against anyone. He was a good and close friend. He will be sadly missed."

From Piper Robert Fleming:

"Every one that knew him loved him. He was always happy to help anyone. He was a hit with the ladies as they loved his happy and full of life personality and his sense of humour. He will be sadly missed by all that knew him. My heart goes out to his family at this sad and terrible time."

The men of Number 10 Platoon wrote:

"Kirk was a master at his job, where he delivered his briefs with so much charisma. He was a very likeable member of the Battalion, where everybody knew him well. He will be missed as both a colleague and a friend. Our deepest sympathies go out to his friends and families. All members, 10 Platoon, 4 Company."

The members of Number 11 Platoon had this to say:

"Kirk was a happy go lucky and extremely thoughtful character who gave his all and asked for little in return. He injected everyday situations with humour to help everyone accomplish what had to be done. He was an extremely popular soldier and friend to us all who will be missed deeply. He will leave a hole in the Battalion and all our lives.

"Our thoughts go out to his family and loved ones at this terrible time. We wish them all the strength possible to deal with this dreadful news."

Des Browne, Secretary of State for Defence, said:

"It was with great sadness that I learned of the deaths of Lance Sergeant Casey and Lance Corporal Redpath in Iraq yesterday. They were a credit to their regiment - upholding the traditions of The Irish Guards and the British Army - their efforts were highly valued by all who knew them and they will be sorely missed. I would like to express my condolences to their families and friends."