Thursday 11 February 2010

1.   The Funeral. It is herewith confirmed that Rfn Aldridge will receive a Military funeral at 1300 hrs on Thursday 11 February 2010 at The Holy Trinity Church, Sandgate Road, Folkestone, Kent, CT20 2HQ.

2. TRBL/Veteran Associations/ Standard Bearers etc. Representation from veteran associations of all uniformed services is most welcome. They are asked to congregate at the entrance to the churchyard by NLT 1215hrs on Thu 11 Feb.

3. Rehearsal. There will be a rehearsal at The Holy Trinity Church, Sandgate Road, Folkestone, Kent, CT20 2HQ on Wednesday 10 Feb at 1100hrs for the barer party and any TRBL/ Veteran Assns standard bearers able to attend. (Contact Maj ACD Wilson 07799 834814). It would be helpful if the Kent TRBL parade marshal could attend this rehearsal in view of the large number of TRBL standard bearers who have indicated attendance.

4. Serving & Ex Service Personnel. Members of the forming and antecedent regiments of The Rifles and serving and ex servicemen of all three Services are most welcome to attend the funeral service.

5.   Burial. Representatives are not expected to participate at the burial after the funeral service.

6.   The Wake. Representatives are welcome to participate in the Wake to be held at the Garrison Warrant Officers and Sergeants Mess, Sir John Moore Barracks, Shorncliffe, Kent, CT20 3HJ.

7.   Questions. Please direct any questions to the undersigned.

Lt Col (Retd) J-D von Merveldt, Rifle London Office, Tel 0207 4914936, email: london@the-rifles.co.uk

23 Jan 10

It is with deep regret that we inform all of the death of Rifleman Peter Aldridge of 4th Battalion The Rifles, in Afghanistan on Friday 22 January 2010.

Rifleman Peter Aldridge, 4th Battalion The Rifles

Rifleman Aldridge, 4th Battalion The Rifles

Rifleman Aldridge, a soldier from A Company 4 RIFLES, serving as part of 3 RIFLES Battle Group, was killed by an explosion near Sangin in Helmand Province. He was on a foot patrol, part of a larger operation to provide security for the local population in Sangin, when the explosion happened.

Rifleman Aldridges family made this statement:

"Our Son died a hero, he lost his life doing what he believed in. Peter said, "If I'm going to die I want to die a Soldier." Our son joined the Army as a Rifleman in the Royal Green Jackets and he didnt want to be anything else. He was determined to get his first tour of duty under his belt. He believed in the Army and was proud of his job and we are so proud of you Peter.

"We would like to thank our family, friends and the Army for being there to support us in our time of need.

"Peter leaves behind his Girlfriend, Jem, and his Brother, Matthew, who he loved with all his heart.

"We love you sweet pea. Swift and Bold Forever."

Lieutenant Colonel Rupert Jones, Commanding Officer 4 RIFLES, said

"Rifleman Peter Aldridge was just 19 still very much a young man, but having gone to the Armys Foundation College in 2006, he had a great deal of experience despite his young age. Indeed he was one of the longer serving Riflemen in his platoon having joined their band almost 2 years ago.

"He made a mark from the outset and was already one of the natural leaders in his platoon. The less experienced Riflemen respected and looked up to him as a role model. He was genuinely dedicated to being a Rifleman and took great pride from it. Looking the part was important to him and he spent plenty of money on making sure that he did.

"He fully embraced The Rifles mantra to be a Thinking Rifleman and was never backward in asking 'why'. Indeed, he will be remembered affectionately for having something to say about most things. He was always in the thick of events and being such a central character in the platoon, he was a regular subject for their jokes. This only encouraged him more as he was a man with a great sense of humour and an infectious ability to laugh at himself.

"It was clear from when he first arrived in the Battalion that he was more comfortable in the field than in barracks and in Afghanistan his character really came to the fore. Early in the tour he was his Platoon Serjeants wingman as the 60mm mortarman, but later took over as a section lead man. There is no lonelier task and it demands real depth of courage and selflessness. Rifleman Aldridge had plenty of both. Deeply loyal to his brother Riflemen and with maturity beyond his years, he volunteered for the task after his predecessor was killed.

"Rifleman Aldridge's section has had a particularly tough tour and his loss is a cruel blow to them, but also to all who knew him. The most fitting testimony that can be paid to him is that we all continue the task on which he died he would want nothing less. All his brother Riflemen in 4 RIFLES salute him.

"His loss will be a devastating blow to his family and loved ones; our thoughts are with them. The last thing Rifleman Aldridge said to the medic treating him at the scene was to tell his mother that he loved her."

Lieutenant Colonel Nick Kitson, Commanding Officer 3 RIFLES Battle Group, said:

"This Battle Group mourns the loss of Rifleman Peter Aldridge, a great soldier and a true companion. So cruelly taken in his prime, having proven himself time and time again in the toughest of fights out here, he leaves us just as his promising military career was really getting underway. He has been at the forefront of a fierce, complex and highly taxing battle to provide security to an oppressed people, living in constant fear of abuse and intimidation by a ruthless, ignorant and self-centred enemy.

"Rifleman Aldridges commitment and selfless determination has been exemplary throughout and stands as a shining testament to his memory, which we now honour. He was a Rifleman of the highest quality and a true individual a man in which our whole regiment can take great pride. The loss of one so young and promising is a real blow. But it serves only to redouble our determination to continue his fine work, spurred on by the inspiration of his selfless sacrifice.

"The thoughts of every member of the 3 Rifles Battle Group are with his family, friends and loved ones. We pray that they, like us, may find comfort in his memory and draw strength from the example that he set in life."

Major Richard Streatfeild, Officer Commanding, A Company 4 RIFLES, said:

"Rifleman Peter Aldridge was a mighty fine Rifleman. He had joined the Army straight from school and trained for a year at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate . He had brains as well as brawn. Fit, strong and brave he gave his life trying to make sure that the path was safe for his section. He had been trained in specialist weapons. He wanted to be a Sniper. Like all those who had been trained and educated at the College he was a future leader. He aspired to be a section commander.

"He will be sorely missed, and the Army will be much the poorer for the passing of his talent. But it will be his family and friends that will feel his loss most deeply and our thoughts are with them. He had all the qualities of a true Rifleman. He held no fear of rank; admirably direct; an appetite for adventure; a quick tongue; an easy laugh and broad shoulders. I have enjoyed his company on adventure training tearing down a Welsh hillside on a mountain bike and on operations over a brew putting Afghanistan to rights.

"On operations he carried the fight to the enemy but was mature enough to understand the requirements for restraint. In England he shared his room with his mountain bike and all his extra kit. He was always to be found at the front. Trusted by his superiors and his peers in situations where only those with his qualities can be trusted. We trusted him and he would now trust us to live up to his example."

Captain Benedict Shuttleworth, Company Second in Command, said:

"Rifleman Aldridge's death comes as a deep shock. He was one of the real characters of not only 1 Platoon but of A Company as a whole. Already a senior Rifleman in a fairly young platoon, Rifleman Aldridges maturity beyond his years meant that he was close to both the senior ranks and his fellow Riflemen.

"He was a very professional soldier who understood the value of training and rehearsals at the lowest level. He could often be found in camp practising his drills or trying out new fire positions. Just like all the best Riflemen in the ages before him, Rifleman Aldridge was not afraid to ask the question "why?", though his loyalty to his chain of command was never in question."

Lieutenant Michael Holden, 1 Platoon Commander, said:

"Rifleman Aldridge is an example of what we expect of fellow Riflemen; strong in nature and kind in heart. He was a real character amongst the platoon. During pre-deployment training he really began to show his true potential even though he was still very young. He showed maturity and knowledge that you would expect from a senior Rifleman.

"However Rifleman Aldridge was guilty of one thing - that was selective hearing. This phenomenon used to land him regularly in the Platoon Serjeant's "wanted book", despite this he was one of the most genuine guys I have met and he would show true kindness to all who came across his path.

"Rifleman Aldridge was a very strong individual, which he proved on many occasions. On one particular occasion he joined Rifleman Spencer in the 'Infamous Iron man' competition. Never wanting to accept second best he would be seen racing around the perimeter of the patrol base with two full jerry cans. Rifleman Aldridge particularly enjoyed martial arts and mountain biking and I had many a conversation with him about rugby, which he assured me he wanted to take up on return from Afghanistan .

"The fondest memories I have of Rifleman Aldridge is a conversation I had with him in one of our many random chats putting the world to rights, when he tried to convince me that his fear of spiders had been passed down through many generations. The origins of which apparently were born in pre-historic times when spiders were larger than humans!

"Rifleman Pete Aldridge will be sorely missed. The comfort I can take from his loss is that he loved his job, had so far enjoyed every moment of his time in Afghanistan , and had showed what a fantastic soldier and person he was. He will never leave the Platoon's thoughts and hearts, and prayers go out to his family and friends at this time."

Warrant Officer Class 2 (RQMS), Gary Case, added:

"When Rifleman Aldridge joined A Company I could see that he was a determined young man with a lot of prospect. He was young, fit, with a great attitude knowing exactly what he wanted to do in life. It was clear to me from the start that he wanted to be a soldier of the highest possible standard. He was your typical Rifleman; if there was something going on in the Company you could be sure that Rifleman Aldridge (Aldo as was my nick name for him) wouldnt be far from the bottom of it.

"He was a true Rifleman he always had something to say (not always the right thing) and always wanted not just him but everyone around him to do well. He had a great Regimental sprit, a young man that you could rely on to set the standards for new Rifleman arriving in the Battalion.

"If there was a need for a chosen man and someone to lead then he would be at the top of my list, he was a man to watch for in the future. He was a massive supporter for the Company and Battalion in sport, Rugby was his game and he did like a tackle. One of his goals was to represent the battalion at Rugby on his return from Afghanistan . The regiment has lost a son, I have lost a brother. Aldo you were and always will be a legend, sleep sound Swift and Bold."

Warrant Officer Class 2 (CSM), Pat Hyde, said:

"Rifleman Pete Aldridge was the sort of Rifleman that would let nothing stand in his way, always up for and up to, the challenge, a real asset to his platoon and company. His true character started to show through while preparing for the tour; honest, generous and courageous but most of all a real team player especially for 1 Platoon. Rifleman Aldridge was truly army barmy and loved nothing more than reading and talking about the military his real lust for everything military was truly fulfilled in Afghanistan.

"He will be sorely missed by all those that knew him, our thoughts are with his family and friends in this very difficult time, A Company 4 Rifles have lost a very dear friend."