Captain Ross Hocking, Fire Support Team Commander, C Company 2 RIFLES Battle Group, said:

"Serjeant McGrath was a keen soldier, a good friend and a proud father. He was a credit to his cap badge and dedicated to 2 Rifles, especially to his Mortar line. We all have fond memories sitting around a fire drinking cups of tea and eating bread made in an ammo tin whilst telling stories from home.

"Sjt McGrath's family was spoken of often with love and devotion; we are sure he will be missed deeply. He was a great man to have in an outpost as his character and attitude never faltered, making him one of those people who would make time fly.

"Mac was a good man, a better friend and one hell of a soldier, our thoughts and prayers lay with your family and hope you rest in piece.

"Never forgotten but sorely missed. From all ranks of Fire Support Team Witchcraft 27."

Colour Serjeant Mark Munt, Mortar Platoon Second in Command, said:

"Stu 'Mac' McGrath had only been in the Army for two and a half years when he passed a JNCO cadre. He was a bit of a flyer but wanted to try something different so joined Mortars. He was always looking for his next level of achievement and excelled on the mortars courses. He completed the SAS briefing course last year but put that career path on hold so that he could take his lads to Afghanistan.

"Although he deployed as a Mortar Section Commander, he was always happy and willing to go back to what he excelled at and help out as a Mortar Fire Controller on patrol. Mac always had a mischievous grin on his face and left you with the impression that he was up to something, although he never got away with anything - he always started laughing as soon as he got up to something.

"He loved life in the Army but it came second to his wife, Emma, whom he loved deeply and his kids, Ryan, Daniel, Dylan, and his latest addition Naimh, whom he adored. We often told him to get a hobby and stop producing offspring but Mac would not have it any different, he loved his kids.

"The whole of the Mortar Platoon and all who know them are thinking of them and our deepest thoughts and prayers go out to them at this very sad time.

"Mac, you are a gleaming Squaddie, and you would have gone a long way in the Army. I know you were after my job as the Mortar Platoon 2IC or to join the SAS (both similar types of career path; you were more than capable of achieving both. Mac, you are a good mate and a gleaming Mortarman and you died doing the job you loved.

"You'll be missed, mate, but never forgotten so I'll finish by repeating the phrase you were always saying whenever you had the joy..'bring the rain.'

Serjeant Jason Bloomer, Fellow Mortarman, said:

"I first met Mac when he turned up to Battalion in 2000. He soon fell foul of the rules by being caught at an un-cleared address in Northern Ireland. Ironically, that address was the home of his then girlfriend Emma, who later became his beloved wife and mother to his three sons, Ryan, Daniel and Dylan, and his daughter, Niamh, who was born during this tour in June.

"Mac joined the Mortar Platoon in 2003 and we soon became good friends. It's only now that I realise just how lucky I was to have attended both the Junior and Senior Mortar Courses with him in Warminster. Without him there to help me with the more technical parts of the courses, I'm sure I wouldn't have got through it. But that was Mac all over, always ready to help anyone.

"He loved his fitness and it was not unusual after a platoon run or tab to see him go off and do it all again just to get some benefit from it. He would often ask me to go on these extra miles with him but I'd reply, 'no thanks, I'm not going on selection.' That was his next goal, to join the SAS. Such was Mac's determination and willingness to give everything 200 per cent, I'm sure he would have achieved this goal.

"The Mortar Platoon has lost both a great soldier and a friend. All our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this extremely difficult and sad time."

Serjeant Colin Tomlinson, Fellow Mortarman, said:

"When I first met Mac many years ago, he was on a Mortar Cadre training to be a Number 1. I thought he must be deaf, because no matter how many times I would repeat the orders, Mac would get them wrong. This was amusing to all of the other lads as I made run around with the Mortar rounds, which we called the 'Spit Fire'. By the end of the Cadre he was a professional at it!

"Mac really proved himself to be an asset not only within the Platoon but also in 2 RIFLES. Over the years he achieved so much and was always in competition to be the best and be better than myself. Well, Mac, you were that, mate. You were very professional at everything that you did, you gained the respect of all who were around you and were always at the forefront of any craic. RIP.

"You are a devoted husband to Emma and an amazing father to Ryan, Daniel, Dylan and your daughter Niamh. Mac would always, if he had the time, drop the kids off and pick them up. Even if we went on runs he would break track, just to give his kids a kiss before they went to school, proof that his family came first in everything that he did. Our thoughts are with them right now.

"It was a privilege and honour to have known you my friend. You will truly be missed and will never be forgotten or replaced. I am sure you are up there with all the other brothers and be saying, 'get up now, boys, it's time to go to work'. So, my friend, we are, as you watch over us.

"RIP Mac. Until we meet once again, God Rest Your Soul."

Acting Serjeant Stuart McGrath
[Picture: via MOD]

Corporal Pat Cullinane, Fellow Mortarman, said:

"I first met Mac in 2001 when he was a Lance Jack in 3 Platoon, and he showed me around Weeton Camp. That's when he started calling me Frodo Baggins because I was 5ft nothing with size 11 feet, ever the comedian, Mac was.

"I've got many funny stories to tell about Mac but one springs to mind about him being a Hobby Chef in South Armagh. It was Mac's turn to cook the lads some food in the tower so he did them chips and pies. When the lads started to eat and cut into the pies, all this grease started to pour out. The lads turned to Mac and asked, 'how did you cook this?' Mac replied, 'with the chips.' The lads said, 'what in the oven?' Mac said 'no, in the deep fat fryer.' A few harsh words were said that day but Mac didn't care because he never was allowed to cook again! Thinking about it, he had probably done it on purpose.

"Mac will be missed by all, and especially by me, but not just for his cookery skills. God rest your soul mate."

Corporal Luke Hare, Fellow Mortarman, said:

"I first met Mac when we both joined 7 Platoon for the Iraq tour, but unfortunately I never got the chance to work with the platoon once we arrived at Basrah Palace. I then worked with him again when I joined the Mortar Platoon in late 2007. I've always known Mac to be honest and as hard-working as they come.

"Whether it was fitness or Platoon admin, Mac would be at the forefront and setting the standard. He was always a NCO for the blokes and would have gone far in his Army career without losing his touch with the Riflemen. Whenever I had a problem or a question he would always help and give me advice without complaint. He was a top man and a great soldier.

"You will be missed mate and never replaced. I hope your family can take pride in what you've achieved in your life and my heart goes out to your wife and children. Goodbye, my friend."

Corporal Dave Warrillow, Fellow Mortarman, said:

"Mac, to his friends, leaves behind a wife, three sons and a baby daughter. I first met Mac on the Mortar Cadre in 2002. The first thing that comes to mind was that, whenever we were on the drills lessons and he got flustered calling out the bearings and elevations, he stuttered much to the annoyance of the Serjeants taking the Mortar Cadre. This quickly became a standing joke within the platoon but as well as take the rippings, he could give it. Mac had an ability like no other to rip people, and it wasn't bullying, it was character building. It didn't matter who or where you were, you would still get ripped.

"If you came down the mortar line in our FOB, the first voice you would hear was Mac's saying 'you lost?' or 'what you doing down here?' Then the rippings would start. On the job, he was second to none as a Mortar Fire Controller, a Mortar Line Section Commander. He even went out as a Rifle Section Commander for the Mercian Platoon when they were a Corporal down. He volunteered without being asked. He was a keen soldier, a Rifleman through and through and looking forward to Senior Brecon next year and then selection. He had even wanted to come back as Mortar Platoon 2IC sometime in the future.

"He showed faith in people's abilities even when others didn't. At home, he was a loving and devoted husband to his wife Emma and a proud and loving father to his three sons, Dylan, Daniel, Ryan and, his newly born daughter, Naimh.

"His young son Dylan, was heard saying to his Mum one Friday morning whilst walking to school as CO's PT was going on and the stragglers at the back were passing them, 'Mummy do you know why they are all at the back?' Emma said, 'No' to which Dylan replied, 'It's because they are all fat!' This was the typical thing Mac would say and always made him laugh when he mentioned it. He is definitely his father's son.

"Mac, you will be sorely missed but never forgotten, as a friend and a comrade, it was an honour to serve with you."

Corporal Darren Whymark, Section Commander, 11 Platoon, said:

"Ten years ago, we were in training. After ten years there were only three of us left. Now there are two, but you were always number one. You were first to get promoted to every rank. In every capacity you were streets ahead of the rest of us. Your determination would always make it that way.

"We have lost a great, long-term friend. You will always be number one. You will be sadly missed."

Lance Corporal Alexander Harvell, Section Second in Command, 11 Platoon, said:

"Serjeant McGrath, or better known as Mac to his friends and family. How to describe Mac in a few simple words? Well, you can't - he was worth so much more: A beloved husband, father and great friend who was always there for a chat.

"In the short time I got to work with Mac, first in FOB Gibraltar and then in FOB Keenan, I found out what a great comrade he was. Never workshy, he always offered to get out on the ground and to stag on so the blokes could get some sleep. But the one thing that will always stay with me was his great sense of humour. Whether I was walking to the shower that was right next to the mortar pit or walking past the pit in Keenan, he would be the first to jump up and give me abuse and then tell me to get the cans in. Put the sense of humour aside and you've got a great husband and father. He always spoke about his family he was a true family man and you could tell that by the way he spoke about his kids, especially his latest - his first little girl.

"He was also a great soldier. He used to talk about completing Senior Brecon and going back to a Rifle Company as a Platoon Serjeant. We used to laugh and joke about both being in the same Platoon. But don't get me wrong - Mac loved his Mortars. He taught me a lot in that short time and that will always stay with me.

"Our prayers are with his family at this time: his wife Emma, his three boys, Ryan, Daniel, and Dylan, and his little girl, Niamh.

"So, until we meet again, Mac; you can get the cans in and keep them cool! R.I.P. Mac."

Stuart RIP

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember