Lance Corporal Peter Eustace killed in Afghanistan

Lance Corporal Peter Eustace, 2 RIFLES, deployed to Afghanistan as a mortar fire controller with Delhi Company of 1st Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment (1 YORKS), attached to Combined Force Nahr-e Saraj (North) in Helmand province.

He was killed by an improvised explosive device (IED) on 16 November 2011 while conducting a joint patrol with his Company and the Afghan National Army.

The funeral of L/Cpl Peter Eustace will take place in The Anglican Cathedral, 20 Saint James Road, Liverpool, L1 7BY on Monday 12 Dec 11 at 1300hrs. 

          a.         Timings.  The funeral cortege will arrive at the church at 1250hrs.  All mourners are requested to be seated from 1230hrs, but No Later Than 1245hrs.

          b.         Parking.  All attending are advised to use the cathedral car park, a area will be marked off for military guests.

          c.         Seating.  Reserved seating will be set aside for family, friends, senior military and civic representatives.  At the service, ushers will guide in the Cathedral on the day.  

         d.         Service.  The service will be led by Canon Mark Stanford Area Dean and the Reverend Philip Burrows CF, the service will last approx 1 hour.

         e.         Dress.  All serving military members to wear Service Dress (FAD) complete. Mourning Bands are only to be worn by Officers and Warrant Officers on the left arm, above the elbow.  Those without uniform are invited to wear jacket and Regimental tie.

         f.          Flowers.  The family have requested that only flowers from close relatives be sent.  The family have asked that those wishing to make a donation should do so to the familys nominated charity 2 RIFLES Swift and Bold (part of the RIFLES care for casualties).

         g.         Bearer Party and Firing Party.  The Bearer Party will be commanded by WO2 Evans and the firing party by CSjt Dingwall.

         h.       Standard Bearers.  WO2 (RQMS) Eamer is requested toco-ordinate the standard bearers who are to gather at the church No Later Than 1230 hrs.

2.         Act of Committal.  The Act of Committal will be held at Allerton Cemetery, Woolton Road, Liverpool, L19 5NH and is a private ceremony with close family, friends and nominated military personnel in attendance. 

3.         Reception.  The Reception will be held at 28 Bty TA Centre, 103 Regt RA, Aigburth Road, Liverpool, L17 9PG.

Lance Corporal Peter Eustace

Born on 13 August 1986 and raised in Liverpool, after a brief career as a painter and decorator, LCpl Eustace found his true calling when he joined the Army in late 2004.

After completing his basic training at the Infantry Training Centre in Catterick, LCpl Eustace joined 1st Battalion The Royal Green Jackets, which subsequently became 2nd Battalion The Rifles. Within a year-and-a-half he was deployed to Iraq on Operation TELIC 9. 

He flourished on operations and showed the dependability, courage and quickness of mind for which he became known. His rich qualities made him a natural choice to undertake a Junior Non Commissioned Officer (JNCO) selection cadre, which he passed with ease in March 2009.

As a newly promoted Lance Corporal, he deployed to Afghanistan for the first time on Operation HERRICK 10 in April 2009, leading his section through difficult and testing times. The Riflemen he commanded, as well as the commanders he worked for, trusted and respected his opinion and judgement.

LCpl Eustace's willingness and ability to accept responsibility made him the ideal choice to become a Mortar Fire Controller, and it was in this critical role that he deployed to Afghanistan in October 2011. His experience, diligence and character undoubtedly made the difficult first weeks of Operation HERRICK 15 safer for the Riflemen and Private soldiers he served alongside.

Lance Corporal Eustace, known to his friends as 'Eust', was a huge character and a bedrock of the mortar platoon he loved. He had a wicked sense of humour, optimistic nature and love of life that will make him sorely missed by all who had the privilege to know him. Our thoughts and prayers are with his mother, Carol, his sister, Kirsty, his brother, Ryan, and his girlfriend, Aimi.

LCpl Eustace's family issued the following statement:

"Peter was very fit and he always wanted to join the Army, he was committed to carrying out a full career there. He will be missed by his family and friends and is loved by all. Peter was a loving son and grandson and will be especially missed by his girlfriend, Aimi. He will also be missed by loving dog Macey."

Lieutenant Colonel Bill Wright MBE, Commanding Officer 2 RIFLES, said:

"Lance Corporal Eustace looked and was every inch the archetypal Mortarman: utterly professional; dedicated to his fellow Riflemen and blessed with a huge character that matched his size. Full of an irreverent sense of humour no one, not even the Commanding Officer, was safe from his endless banter.

"After two very demanding operational tours, the first fighting on the streets of Basra on Operation TELIC 9 and the latter showing nerves of steel and huge courage in the IED laden alleyways around FOB Wishtan on Operation HERRICK 10, he had nothing left to prove as a warrior. He was one of those men you can completely rely on when things get tough.

"He will be sorely missed by all, particularly the Mortar Platoon and his fellow chosen men in the Corporals' Mess. Their parties will be far quieter without him. All our thoughts and heartfelt best wishes are with his family and friends at this tragic time. A true Rifleman Swift and Bold."

Lieutenant Colonel Dan Bradbury, Commanding Officer 1 YORKS, said:

"Although only a member of Delhi Company since deployment, Lance Corporal Peter Eustace quickly settled into operational life in Khar Nikah and became a vital part of the team.

"As a Mortar Fire Controller, he was a key player in the Company, ensuring that the patrols could call on indirect fire as they patrolled their area of operations. As part of a small team, he worked hard to ensure that the mortar line could react quickly and effectively when tasked.

"Within days of joining the Company and he demonstrated the true grit and spirit of a Rifleman. At this difficult time, we think of his family back home, his close friends in the Company and his parent unit, 2 RIFLES; all of whom will ensure that his legacy is not forgotten. We will remember you."

Major Bobby Bryan, Officer Commanding I Company 2 RIFLES, said:

"Lance Corporal Eustace was the backbone of the Mortar Platoon and was a huge physical and social presence. Simply being in Lance Corporal Eustace's company would raise morale as his unwaveringly optimistic and genial character would brighten our communal outlook on life regardless of the situation. 

"If I was in need of the 'real story' I always know that Lance Corporal Eustace would have no hesitation to tell me exactly what he thought and exactly what he would do about it. Regardless of the message, it was always delivered with a scouse charm that would disarm and charm you into his way of thinking.

"He took his soldiering very seriously. He mastered the skill of a Mortar Fire Controller and was relishing the opportunity of plying his trade in Afghanistan. His professionalism and experience in training and when deployed was essential to making the lives of those in his company and command safer.

"It will be his depth of character, selflessness and cheerful disposition for which he will be most sorely missed. Across I Company our thoughts are with his family and close friends at home, we share in your grief and we will remember Lance Corporal Eustace always."

Major Spiro Marcandonatos, Officer Commanding D (DELHI) Company, 1 YORKS, said:

"Lance Corporal Eustace was attached to my Company Group in Forward Operating Base (FOB) Khar Nikar. I first met him on our flight to Afghanistan from Germany, after which we then conducted our training package together. 

"He served under my command in FOB Khar Nikah for five weeks, but it was enough to confirm my first impressions of him being an upstanding and fiercely loyal individual who was enormously proud to be a Rifleman. He got huge satisfaction from his job and being part of a closely-knit team.

"A lively character, he served us extremely well from the moment we were first introduced and his experience was vital to the company hitting the ground running and taking the fight to the Taliban. He will be sorely missed."

Captain Mark Endersby, Second in Command, I Company 2 RIFLES said:

"Lance Corporal Pete 'Eust' Eustace was a Mortarman to the core. He was a giant in personality and character. It was on these broad shoulders that he carried the weight of responsibility for protecting his comrades with the mortar fire he could so accurately deliver. It is a testament to the man that all around him, including members of the Afghan Army, whose trust he had quickly won, were deeply hurt by his loss.

"I will never forget walking in to the mortar control area in FOB Khar Nikah a few weeks ago and running into the torrent of friendly scouse abuse that anyone, regardless of rank, had to face if they crossed the Mortar Platoon threshold! I found Lance Corporal Eustace reclining in a leopard print chair sipping on a brew behind the control desk. 

"After talking through the finer details of his trade, I left bamboozled but wholly confident that the level of professional knowledge and pride he had would keep our Riflemen protected. I have no doubt that he will continue to watch over us until we are safe and back in Ballykinler.

Part 1 

DWM