Rifleman Martin Kinggett killed in Afghanistan

26 Feb 10 -Page One

It is with sadness that we must confirm that Rifleman Martin Kinggett from A Company, 4th Battalion The Rifles (4 RIFLES), part of the 3 RIFLES Battle Group, was killed in Afghanistan on Thursday 25 February 2010.

Rifleman Martin Kinggett

Rifleman Kinggett, a 19-year-old soldier from A Company 4 RIFLES, serving as part of 3 RIFLES Battle Group, was killed by a gun shot wound in Sangin, Helmand Province.

He was on a routine foot patrol, part of a larger operation to provide security for the local population in Sangin. During the patrol he and his comrades were required to provide covering fire for the evacuation of an injured colleague and Rifleman Kinggett was shot and killed.

Rifleman Kinggett, from Dagenham, joined the army in 2007 but left for a short while, before re-enlisting in 2009. He attended the demanding Combat Infantrymans Course at the Infantry Training Centre, Catterick before joining 4th Battalion, The Rifles in April 2009. Very soon, he was involved in Pre-Deployment Training for Afghanistan.

He deployed with A Company in October 2009 as dismounted Rifleman (foot patrol based) on his first operational tour to Afghanistan on Op HERRICK 11, as part of 3 RIFLES Battle Group.

Rifleman Kinggett's family paid the following tribute:

"Martin was a loving son, brother, grandson, uncle and boyfriend. He will be missed by many many people who know him and loved him. He gave his life doing what he loved, he always wanted to be a soldier. He will always be our hero."

Lieutenant Colonel Rupert Jones, Commanding Officer 4 RIFLES said:

"Rifleman Martin Kinggett was nothing if not a character and his friends loved him for it.

"He was a young man enjoying life and brightening up the lives of those alongside him. Things were never going to be dull with him around and his mischievous streak saw him push the boundaries regularly and get him into a fair few scrapes.

"There is no doubt that he could be exasperating, but everything he did was good natured and conducted with integrity. Like the best Riflemen, he had plenty of edge and he liked to operate on a long leash.

"He joined 4 RIFLES as a member of the 'big 3 friends from Essex who went through training together at Catterick and then joined the Battalion.

"He was a young man that his mates could absolutely rely on. Indeed, through training he was the man that others naturally went to for assistance. He had a very good heart and was deeply loyal to his friends; loyalty that was repaid without question.

"As so often, it was in Afghanistan that he really found his calling. His strength of character and values proved a rock to those around him. His brother Riflemen drew strength and comfort from his confidence. He was fearless as the lead man in his section, clearing the ground for those that followed.

"There are few lonelier jobs and it requires inner steel and calm maturity.

"Rifleman Kinggett took this in his stride. He was proud to be a Rifleman, indeed he left Catterick the first time at the thought that he might not be sent to The Rifles.

"The Regiment excels because of young men like him and he was a true Rifleman highly professional, with no shortage of attitude, but always steadfast.

"It is typical of him that he fell giving covering fire while his comrades extracted a seriously injured friend in contact.

"His family who he loved so openly and talked of so frequently will be devastated at his loss, but will take great pride that he fell as he had lived, helping his friends.

"His legacy will be the enduring progress that is being made in Helmand and the changes that are being made to the lives of the Afghan population something of which he would be very proud."

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

"Rifleman Martin Kinggett has been a truly valued member of this Battle Group as it fights tirelessly, day by day, for a better future for the population of Sangin and this region.

"His enthusiasm and lust for life were infectious. He had on this tour clearly shown the makings of a promising career. He epitomised the selfless commitment and wholehearted engagement of our countrys young men in this most complex of political and military challenges.

"The classic feisty Rifleman, he was blessed with a quick wit, a disarming smile and a mischievous temperament balanced by an inquiring mind, a hard sense of professionalism and an unmovable devotion to friends and his duty.

"Brave as a lion and selfless until the end, he fell to enemy fire while protecting the evacuation of a wounded comrade shot minutes before.

"The loss of one so young and full of promise is a great blow to the Battle Group and to our proud Regiment. We shall steel ourselves further as we continue the noble work for which he gave his all too brief life.

"We shall not falter in our efforts here but draw strength and inspiration from his humbling example. The thoughts and prayers of us all in this Battle Group go out to his friends, family and loved ones."

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

"Rifleman Martin Kinggett was impossible not to like. He arrived in A Company in April 2009.

"He had completed the full repertoire of mistakes one might make as a young Rifleman and even added a couple for good measure before we got to Afghanistan in October. Honest mistakes; borne of exuberance, confidence, and a solid belief that he could talk himself out of any scrape.

"Soldiering in Afghanistan was the making of him. On operations he performed outstandingly well. He gained maturity, professional pride, trust, a keen sense of responsibility and a whole load more soldierly qualities too numerous to mention.

"He volunteered for the most demanding of tasks leading the section through the fields, compounds and alleyways of the Upper Sangin Valley. Rifleman Kingett was brave and quick thinking. It was these qualities that saved my hide on one occasion and I owe him a personal debt of gratitude.

"He never lost his quick wit. He was always to be found in the thick of the banter as well as the action. He was very good for morale even under the most stressful conditions.

"I know, from the many conversations that I had with him on the subject, that he was extremely fond of his family. Our thoughts and our prayers are with them. He was at the start of a career that was full of promise.

"A Company will be the poorer but we shall continue to run the race that has been set before us. He would expect nothing less."

Captain Ben Shuttleworth, Second in Command A Company 4 RIFLES

"Rifleman Kinggett transformed from boy to man before our very eyes. Before deployment he got himself in to so much trouble I often thought that he would not be allowed to deploy. In retrospect he was simply a young boy having fun.

"Since his arrival in Afghanistan, Rifleman Kinggett has thrived on responsibility, grasping every chance to lead. First he became the lead man of the section tasked with finding road side bombs and clearing a safe route for the remainder of his team. Then, when his section second in command was away, he stepped up to the post, working tirelessly to administrate his section and support his commanders.

"In his final moments, Rifleman Kinggett placed himself in the view of the enemy so that he could return fire as the remainder of his team attempted to evacuate a wounded friend. Those who met him will never forget his infectious laughter."

Lieutenant Tom FoulkesArnold, Officer Commanding 3 Platoon

"Rifleman Kinggett was an essential part of the Platoon. He consistently displayed a dry wit and confidence that inspired and motivated those around him.

"When I first joined 3 Platoon a considerable amount of time was devoted to reining in Rifleman Kinggett and trying to shape him into the Rifleman that he knew he could be and get him to focus.

On operations however Rifleman Kinggett bounced from one difficult situation to another with an effortless professionalism and a self assured confidence that proved innate.

"He was given the opportunity to act as Section Second in Command during the tour and it was a chance he did not waste. In the environment he worked in and the scenarios he faced, hesitation would have been understandable but never once did I see Rifleman Kinggett falter.

"He was very much a man of action who relished being away from camp life. He proved a leader by example, and this is the highest accolade I can give him, people would follow him and would draw strength from him.

"He was a diligent and hardworking individual on operations, he was also forthright and frank, he told life how it is and this proved a useful trait.

"His youth was revealed by being endlessly cheeky and this brought him to the attention of all, but it was his loyalty and effort that endeared him to them.

"Rifleman Kinggett grew in to the Rifleman he promised to become during our tour, and achieved even more than he could have hoped.

"The finest elements in his character shone through and to lead him was a pleasure. He had become an outstanding prospect and I have no doubt that he had a great future ahead of him.

"It has been fantastic to have had the opportunity to witness the rapid progression and personal development of Rifleman Kinggett and to have had the chance to work with him, he has taught me a great deal and he will never be forgotten."