FabSwingers.com forum: S.A.S Hero Jailed

By *uckoo clock OP Couple
over a year ago

Merseyside

What does it say about our country when a former S.A.S soldier with an exemplary record is jailed for 18 Months for having a trophy gun presented to him by iraqi special forces, while Abu Qatada is free to walk our streets again ?

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By *ittle_brat_evie!!Woman
over a year ago

evesham

That he broke the law?

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By *nJ_NW_cplCouple
over a year ago

wirral

Take the words Abu SAS and Gun and im sure we could come up with a better outcome. xxx

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

The law is an ass!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Why do we put up with the crap that because of the EU we get, grow some balls politicians and deal with it. Get the Great back in Britian not the lie down tickle my belly attitude. Free this man and jail the cleric or get him a job cleaning toilets.

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By *emmefataleWoman
over a year ago

dirtybigbadsgirlville

No comment..

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

It aint the eu that freed abu qatada it was our court as far as i am aware all this eu bashing is pointless as nowt to do with this farce.

The sas bloke who i agree is a hero needs further investigation and hopefully will be overturned.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

When the EU make a decision that is it. Our courts and Laws are dictated by the EU. Our government has no balls or say how things realy are!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I was under the impression that misdemeanors can be punished by a fine or by community service when those convicted have a history of service to the country, a good excuse and no criminal record; things like that.

The fact that he broke the law ought to be answered by those that put him in this position. He is not exempt from law, NO, but he ought to have been let off with a warning considering his service record and circumstance.

The SAS... for fucks sake... they have saved this country's arse more times that most today clearly recognise.

What next??? Does he die in a fiery accident and go on to Black Ops??? No, he does porrige with armed robbers and rapists!

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By *H.coupleCouple
over a year ago

edinburgh

"When the EU make a decision that is it. Our courts and Laws are dictated by the EU. Our government has no balls or say how things realy are!

Discustingly true

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"What does it say about our country when a former S.A.S soldier with an exemplary record is jailed for 18 Months for having a trophy gun presented to him by iraqi special forces, while Abu Qatada is free to walk our streets again ?"
He broke the law and has to pay the penalty. Carrying a gun is not allowed in this country unless you have a licence and its in controlled conditions,

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"What does it say about our country when a former S.A.S soldier with an exemplary record is jailed for 18 Months for having a trophy gun presented to him by iraqi special forces, while Abu Qatada is free to walk our streets again ?He broke the law and has to pay the penalty. Carrying a gun is not allowed in this country unless you have a licence and its in controlled conditions,"

But how can you be in the SAS and not have a license?

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By *reelove1969Couple
over a year ago

bristol

i think every case needs to be taken on its own merits.

During the court martial the Prosecution referred to him as 'an exemplary service man'

i think it is a case of quite unprecedented circumstances and should be dealt with accordingly.

Whilst all parties agree the correct procedure was not followed initially on returning to the UK there was never any malitious intentions and alot of the failings that followed were more down to circumstance and misfortune

The guy suferred a huge brain injury doing a charity event that left him in a coma and with lasting memory problems. His family are now left in an unenviable situation of the only bread winner is in prison.

I wish them well

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By *reelove1969Couple
over a year ago

bristol

"What does it say about our country when a former S.A.S soldier with an exemplary record is jailed for 18 Months for having a trophy gun presented to him by iraqi special forces, while Abu Qatada is free to walk our streets again ?He broke the law and has to pay the penalty. Carrying a gun is not allowed in this country unless you have a licence and its in controlled conditions,"

when did he carry this gun .. it was in storage on barracks the whole time ??

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By *acreadCouple
over a year ago

central scotland

His wife gave an interview on the radio the other day and I think anyone should find out the facts before passing judgement, as said above the gun which was awarded to him for outstanding service was never on the streets and his intention was to get it decomisioned and mountedin the barracks.

n my opinion he was very harshly dealt with considering the number of times he put his life on the line for this country and I hope his conviction gets overturned or at the very least he is released.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"His wife gave an interview on the radio the other day and I think anyone should find out the facts before passing judgement, as said above the gun which was awarded to him for outstanding service was never on the streets and his intention was to get it decomisioned and mountedin the barracks.

n my opinion he was very harshly dealt with considering the number of times he put his life on the line for this country and I hope his conviction gets overturned or at the very least he is released."

Spot on

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"What does it say about our country when a former S.A.S soldier with an exemplary record is jailed for 18 Months for having a trophy gun presented to him by iraqi special forces, while Abu Qatada is free to walk our streets again ?He broke the law and has to pay the penalty. Carrying a gun is not allowed in this country unless you have a licence and its in controlled conditions,"

He wasn't carrying it. He was in Iraq when he was presented with it, in a locked box that he never opened, and then he was sent elsewhere where he suffered some sort of trauma which led him to completely forgetting he even owne the gun. His things were sent to the UK and included in it was the gun, and upon it's discovery he was charged with possession of an illegal firearm.

Now here's the disgusting part.

The Army told him that if he didn't plead guilty at the offset and was subsequently found guilty he would get five years imprisonment. If he pleaded guilty, which is what he did, then he would be treated leniently, and they gave him 18mos - some fucking leniency.

He was ambushed into pleading guilty by the army top brass.

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By *eavenNhellCouple
over a year ago

carrbrook stalybridge

He was ambushed into pleading guilty by the army top brass.

one less redundancy notice for them to send out

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By *reelove1969Couple
over a year ago

bristol

i think the words 'common sense will prevail' were uttered

how wrong can u be !

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"He was ambushed into pleading guilty by the army top brass.

one less redundancy notice for them to send out

Plus pension fucked. Convicted crim y'know. No perks for him now.

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By *ouple in LancashireCouple
over a year ago

in Lancashire

she was on 5live this morning with an ex 22 CO, a Lt Col Roberts who is fully behind the guy and his family..

he said some intersting stuff, the guy was advised to plead guilty on the understanding he would get a 'suspended'..

he also said that there have been so many weapons brought in by MOD personnel in the last ten yrs that have ended up in the hands of criminals is not down to this one guy who is being used to send a message out..

the system let the guy down as his kit should have been checked which did'nt happen..

hope his appeal is successfull..

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By *abioMan
over a year ago

Newcastle and Gateshead

"When the EU make a decision that is it. Our courts and Laws are dictated by the EU. Our government has no balls or say how things realy are!

ahem... not this time..... actually it was the high court that made the decision on Abu because they still don't believe the jordanian government won't use evidence gained in torture... and judging my past actions i understand why...

I want to know why people link two sets of actions that have no bearing to each other???

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By *ald6974Man
over a year ago

Manchester

....hmm disclosing him as ex special services is a joke in itself.....I won't be impresssed if they "OUT" me in the tabloids ....for handling my weapon...or for being on here in fact. Poor sod

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By *acreadCouple
over a year ago

central scotland

Dont think he can appeal against conviction as he pleaded guilty he may only be able to appeal against the sentence but then as said above his pension and job have gone.

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By *ouple in LancashireCouple
over a year ago

in Lancashire

"I want to know why people link two sets of actions that have no bearing to each other???"

ignorance or an agenda perhaps..?

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By *reelove1969Couple
over a year ago

bristol

no body 'outed' him or his family .. they took the very tricky decision to give up their right to anonimity

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By *ouple in LancashireCouple
over a year ago

in Lancashire

"Dont think he can appeal against conviction as he pleaded guilty he may only be able to appeal against the sentence but then as said above his pension and job have gone."

think it was said that an appeal is being prepared on the evidence which the prosecution used..

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By *xodussxMan
over a year ago

sheffield

The MOD lost some screws here

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I'm leaving this thread now. I never trusted the system we live by and the law is just as corrupt as anyone can be because it is run by human beings with agendas and personal circumstances, be they insubstantial bank accounts or a desire to bring people down a peg or two because they are amateur in comparison. I just wish this brave man all the best and swift justice against the idiots that have crucified him before the world.

So he had a gun. He worked with guns, he worked with the best, he IS the best. He is British SAS and if you can't trust them with your life then who can you trust? Not the courts; they do not prevent crime, they punish it accordingly. There is nothing accordingly about this and his family should not suffer as a result of their inadequacy to serve the people!

"Fuck Da Police"

- N.W.A

"Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum"

- Frank Castle

"Have a lovely evening"

- Me

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By *nnyMan
over a year ago

Glasgow

I don't want to see anyone in possession of a firearm for which they don't have a licence, hero or not. Skilled marksman or not. Best or otherwise.

We're in danger of becomeing a wee bit star-struck.

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By *unkkMan
over a year ago

Kidderminster

Having served in the forces, we are all fully aware that if we take any weapons from a war zone we must obtain an "FFE", (Free from Fire or Explosives) Certificate. In otherwords the weapon must be rendered useless. The fact he was in the SAS is irrelevant, we all must obey the law. The sentence was harsh (my friend got 14 days pay for something similar after Gulf War 1. Prison should be used to protect the public from dangerous people, this soldier posed no threat to the public.

Abu Hanza will remain in this country as long as many many lawyers are continuing to get very rich from this case all at public expense..... A lawyer is always the winner!

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By *nnyMan
over a year ago

Glasgow

I read that, in addition to the Glock, he was found in possession of

122 x 9mm live rounds of ammunition

40 x 7.62mm live rounds of ammunition

50 x 9mm frangible rounds of ammunition

50 x 338 armour piercing live rounds of ammunition

2 x .308 live rounds of ammunition

74 x 5.56mm live rounds of ammunition

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By *emmefataleWoman
over a year ago

dirtybigbadsgirlville

"if you can't trust them with your life then who can you trust?

"
SBS

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By *ouple in LancashireCouple
over a year ago

in Lancashire

"if you can't trust them with your life then who can you trust?

SBS

JPPF..?

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By *nnyMan
over a year ago

Glasgow

"if you can't trust them with your life then who can you trust?

SBS

Paddy Pantsdown's mob?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I read that, in addition to the Glock, he was found in possession of

122 x 9mm live rounds of ammunition

40 x 7.62mm live rounds of ammunition

50 x 9mm frangible rounds of ammunition

50 x 338 armour piercing live rounds of ammunition

2 x .308 live rounds of ammunition

74 x 5.56mm live rounds of ammunition

Well, he can't fire those from an iraqi ceremonial pistol can he?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

why dont we just nuke the whole middle east ? problem solved

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By *abioMan
over a year ago

Newcastle and Gateshead

Well, he can't fire those from an iraqi ceremonial pistol can he?

nope.... however even though it were ceremonial... it was still able to fire live rounds, and are you suppose to not get that capacity nulled...

i am not a fan of the decision either... but lets say it had fallen into the wrong hands and something awful had happened....

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By *yrdwomanWoman
over a year ago

Putting the 'cum' in Eboracum

"He was ambushed into pleading guilty by the army top brass.

one less redundancy notice for them to send out

Yeah the MoD have a habit of turning their backs on their own. Its a shame but if you or I had a gun in the house we'd probably be dealt with just as harshly.

And as Fabio said, comparing this to the Muslim cleric case is like comparing apples to washing machines.

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By *nnyMan
over a year ago

Glasgow

No Glock can fire 9mill?

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By *nnyMan
over a year ago

Glasgow

It seems no time at all since former SAS man Tom Shanks shot his ex-girlfriend with a Kalashnikov, a trophy from his service in the Gulf War.

18 years, to save you looking.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

typical britain, treat our own kind like shite and yet bend over backwards and turn a blind eye to please anybody else,

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"What does it say about our country when a former S.A.S soldier with an exemplary record is jailed for 18 Months for having a trophy gun presented to him by iraqi special forces, while Abu Qatada is free to walk our streets again ?He broke the law and has to pay the penalty. Carrying a gun is not allowed in this country unless you have a licence and its in controlled conditions,

But how can you be in the SAS and not have a license?"
The SAS are the elite of the armed forces they are simply the best. They have strict guidlines which must be enforced. Indiscipline is not tolerated.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"why dont we just nuke the whole middle east ? problem solved

"
The voice of reasoned arguement! I love it!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Because mofo's with sprouts for brains in Brussels dictate our laws to us and our politicians are too bloody gutless to do anything about it.

I hope he breaks out!!!

Owl

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By *Ryan-Man
over a year ago

In Your Bush

"if you can't trust them with your life then who can you trust?

SBS

JPPF..?"

JLS

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By *abioMan
over a year ago

Newcastle and Gateshead

"Because mofo's with sprouts for brains in Brussels dictate our laws to us and our politicians are too bloody gutless to do anything about it.

I hope he breaks out!!!

Owl"

see.... that is actually wrong AND lazy....

the UK gun law concerning this type of weapon came in after the Dunblane Shooting.....under the tories, the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997... and was slightly amended when labour came into power (it was actually one of the first things they did)

nothing to do with the EU at all.....

Jeez... again people using stuff like this to promote another agenda when it is incorrect....

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By *_EavesMan
over a year ago

South West

"What does it say about our country when a former S.A.S soldier with an exemplary record is jailed for 18 Months for having a trophy gun presented to him by iraqi special forces, while Abu Qatada is free to walk our streets again ?He broke the law and has to pay the penalty. Carrying a gun is not allowed in this country unless you have a licence and its in controlled conditions,

But how can you be in the SAS and not have a license?"

Easily.. Being in the forces does not automatically give you a weapons licence.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Because mofo's with sprouts for brains in Brussels dictate our laws to us and our politicians are too bloody gutless to do anything about it.

I hope he breaks out!!!

Owl"

Let's get Minxie to bake him a cake

Seriously can't the PM step in , this man shouldn't do time its just not right !

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

[Removed by poster at 16/11/12 10:05:12]

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Because mofo's with sprouts for brains in Brussels dictate our laws to us and our politicians are too bloody gutless to do anything about it.

I hope he breaks out!!!

Owl

see.... that is actually wrong AND lazy....

nothing to do with the EU at all.....

Jeez... again people using stuff like this to promote another agenda when it is incorrect...."

Truth and facts versus Daily Mail-esque, sensationalist, xenophobic, flag-waving, emotive tripe. A tricky one! lol

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By *layfullsamMan
over a year ago

Solihull

"Because mofo's with sprouts for brains in Brussels dictate our laws to us and our politicians are too bloody gutless to do anything about it.

I hope he breaks out!!!

Owl

see.... that is actually wrong AND lazy....

nothing to do with the EU at all.....

Jeez... again people using stuff like this to promote another agenda when it is incorrect...."
think the fact it was a section 5 weapon made them come down on him harder than they might have done and if it wasnt being held in the right approved security cabinet it would have made it worse as they might have said a burglar could have stolen it and led to it ending up in the wrong hands

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"What does it say about our country when a former S.A.S soldier with an exemplary record is jailed for 18 Months for having a trophy gun presented to him by iraqi special forces, while Abu Qatada is free to walk our streets again ?He broke the law and has to pay the penalty. Carrying a gun is not allowed in this country unless you have a licence and its in controlled conditions,

But how can you be in the SAS and not have a license?

Easily.. Being in the forces does not automatically give you a weapons licence."

Regretfully a lot of people consider the forces untouchable and innocent no matter what....

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

P.S: Is everyone who's in or has been in the forces automatically a 'hero', no matter what their role was, what they did or didn't do and who they did or didn't kill or take part in killing, for whatever 'reasons'? IF so YAY! I'm a HERO!

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By *nnyMan
over a year ago

Glasgow

"What does it say about our country when a former S.A.S soldier with an exemplary record is jailed for 18 Months for having a trophy gun presented to him by iraqi special forces, while Abu Qatada is free to walk our streets again ?He broke the law and has to pay the penalty. Carrying a gun is not allowed in this country unless you have a licence and its in controlled conditions,

But how can you be in the SAS and not have a license?The SAS are the elite of the armed forces they are simply the best. They have strict guidlines which must be enforced. Indiscipline is not tolerated."

If only that were true. Too many people swallow they myths put about by right-wing media.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"What does it say about our country when a former S.A.S soldier with an exemplary record is jailed for 18 Months for having a trophy gun presented to him by iraqi special forces, while Abu Qatada is free to walk our streets again ?He broke the law and has to pay the penalty. Carrying a gun is not allowed in this country unless you have a licence and its in controlled conditions,

But how can you be in the SAS and not have a license?"

The same way an RAF pilot can fly a fighter jet yet not have a licence to fly a civilian plane.

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By *nnyMan
over a year ago

Glasgow

"What does it say about our country when a former S.A.S soldier with an exemplary record is jailed for 18 Months for having a trophy gun presented to him by iraqi special forces, while Abu Qatada is free to walk our streets again ?He broke the law and has to pay the penalty. Carrying a gun is not allowed in this country unless you have a licence and its in controlled conditions,

But how can you be in the SAS and not have a license?

The same way an RAF pilot can fly a fighter jet yet not have a licence to fly a civilian plane."

It's not quite like that. The Firearms Act licences a named individual to own certain specifically identified by serial number fairearms. You're right in as much as posessing a shotgun licence doesn't allow you to own a hand gun.

A brylcreme boy, qualified on eg Harriers is permitted to fly any Harrier of that type.

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By *ouple in LancashireCouple
over a year ago

in Lancashire

as a serving member of the armed forces, you are deemed to be licenced or covered by the law of the land when 'on duty'..

that of course means you have to comply with the law of the land as regards fire arms use..

used to be the yellow card in NI..

each situation will have its own terms of engagement etc..

after the guys came back from FI in 82 there were many trophies, some equally lethal as the guy in question had..

it was dealt with by a slapped wrist and confiscation at that time..

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By *nnyMan
over a year ago

Glasgow

"as a serving member of the armed forces, you are deemed to be licenced or covered by the law of the land when 'on duty'..

that of course means you have to comply with the law of the land as regards fire arms use..

used to be the yellow card in NI..

each situation will have its own terms of engagement etc..

after the guys came back from FI in 82 there were many trophies, some equally lethal as the guy in question had..

it was dealt with by a slapped wrist and confiscation at that time..

We live in a different world now.

Nightingale's own solicitors claimed he'd "suffered brain damage". War hero or not, is this a person we'd want to have access to a handgun?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"as a serving member of the armed forces, you are deemed to be licenced or covered by the law of the land when 'on duty'..

that of course means you have to comply with the law of the land as regards fire arms use..

used to be the yellow card in NI..

each situation will have its own terms of engagement etc..

after the guys came back from FI in 82 there were many trophies, some equally lethal as the guy in question had..

it was dealt with by a slapped wrist and confiscation at that time..

We live in a different world now.

Nightingale's own solicitors claimed he'd "suffered brain damage". War hero or not, is this a person we'd want to have access to a handgun?"
. Absolutely - and the term 'hero' is subjective and often way too easily applied...

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By *nnyMan
over a year ago

Glasgow

Like 'brave'. Many people to whom 'brave' is applied don't have any choice in the matter.

Does a 9 month old undergoing chemotherapy for an otherwise terminal condition have any notion what's being done to them?

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By *enuineplayers plus 1Couple
over a year ago

newport

There are a lot of 'jumped up' oppiniated people on here on this thread. Perhaps you should try serve you country in a war zone. You may have a different one then!!! Enough said

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Like 'brave'. Many people to whom 'brave' is applied don't have any choice in the matter.

Does a 9 month old undergoing chemotherapy for an otherwise terminal condition have any notion what's being done to them?"

Absolutely. If one chooses to sign up for a situation, then do the job.....simples!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"There are a lot of 'jumped up' oppiniated people on here on this thread. Perhaps you should try serve you country in a war zone. You may have a different one then!!! Enough said"

Perhaps opinions that those in the forces are automatically 'heroes' are jumped up and hyper-opinionated. But definitions of 'country' and 'served' are subjective, so everyone to their own

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By *nnyMan
over a year ago

Glasgow

"There are a lot of 'jumped up' oppiniated people on here on this thread. Perhaps you should try serve you country in a war zone. You may have a different one then!!! Enough said"

I still have the shilling.

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By *enuineplayers plus 1Couple
over a year ago

newport

"There are a lot of 'jumped up' oppiniated people on here on this thread. Perhaps you should try serve you country in a war zone. You may have a different one then!!! Enough said

I still have the shilling."
yes me too. You would agree that not ever person in forces would see them selves as hero's. but the one thing they would all say in they are proud to serve and have served for their country

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By *eneral HysteriaMan
over a year ago

Newcastle

This is a disgrace

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By *uttyMan
over a year ago

Local to you maybe

"as a serving member of the armed forces, you are deemed to be licenced or covered by the law of the land when 'on duty'..

that of course means you have to comply with the law of the land as regards fire arms use..

used to be the yellow card in NI..

each situation will have its own terms of engagement etc..

after the guys came back from FI in 82 there were many trophies, some equally lethal as the guy in question had..

it was dealt with by a slapped wrist and confiscation at that time..

We live in a different world now.

Nightingale's own solicitors claimed he'd "suffered brain damage". War hero or not, is this a person we'd want to have access to a handgun?"

So let's put the guy with brain damage in jail, do you know for a fact how badly damaged his brain is?

Walk into the right pubs anywhere with the cash and anyone could similarly own a handgun.

Discipline him? Yes

Jail him? No

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

My ex-brother-in-law served two tours in the Gulf, two in Afghanistan but for what he's done to my sister 'hero' is the very last fucking word I'd use to describe the asshole.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

[Removed by poster at 17/11/12 00:32:10]

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By *enuineplayers plus 1Couple
over a year ago

newport

This is a disgrace"
i am open minded enough to know perhaps there may be more to the story. But a presentation weapon will have had its barrel filled and or firing pin remove thus rendering it nothing more than a piece of memorabilia

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"My ex-brother-in-law served two tours in the Gulf, two in Afghanistan but for what he's done to my sister 'hero' is the very last fucking word I'd use to describe the asshole.

Absolutely. You get complete arsehole dickheads who are squaddies, complete arsehole dickheads who aren't. It's the 'hero' tag that's ludicrous. Nothing special. Am ex forces and ex NHS - both roles command auto respect only from the sheep-types, who can't see that individuals are individuals and that a job signed up for is simply that.

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By *enuineplayers plus 1Couple
over a year ago

newport

"My ex-brother-in-law served two tours in the Gulf, two in Afghanistan but for what he's done to my sister 'hero' is the very last fucking word I'd use to describe the asshole.

"
obviously suffering from PTSD and should have been treated

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Adolf Hitler arguably had PTSD and mental/inadequacy problems from not getting on well at Vienna Art College...should we forgive him because of his 'past trauma.....

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By *enuineplayers plus 1Couple
over a year ago

newport

"Adolf Hitler arguably had PTSD and mental/inadequacy problems from not getting on well at Vienna Art College...should we forgive him because of his 'past trauma.....

"
think there may be a bit of a difference there

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Adolf Hitler arguably had PTSD and mental/inadequacy problems from not getting on well at Vienna Art College...should we forgive him because of his 'past trauma.....

think there may be a bit of a difference there"

Really? So anyone with PTSD can get sympathy for breaking the law, unless they're from a 'bad' country...? And we wonder how wars start!lol

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Adolf Hitler arguably had PTSD and mental/inadequacy problems from not getting on well at Vienna Art College...should we forgive him because of his 'past trauma.....

He also had a raging case of syphilis and the nervous disorder that came from not treating it, which he blamed French hookers for rather than himself for putting his nob anywhere near them...

And you should let Hitler off because he lost, killed himself and ordered all his men did the same and also has been a very good example of not how to behave...

Only kidding lol just don't become the beast in order to kill the beast is what people seem to have forgotten!

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By *enuineplayers plus 1Couple
over a year ago

newport

"Adolf Hitler arguably had PTSD and mental/inadequacy problems from not getting on well at Vienna Art College...should we forgive him because of his 'past trauma.....

think there may be a bit of a difference there

Really? So anyone with PTSD can get sympathy for breaking the law, unless they're from a 'bad' country...? And we wonder how wars start!lol

"
well actually most wars have been started by religious fanatics and it still goes on

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"My ex-brother-in-law served two tours in the Gulf, two in Afghanistan but for what he's done to my sister 'hero' is the very last fucking word I'd use to describe the asshole.

obviously suffering from PTSD and should have been treated"

Cobblers. To have PTSD you have to have a soul and emotions.

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By *enuineplayers plus 1Couple
over a year ago

newport

"My ex-brother-in-law served two tours in the Gulf, two in Afghanistan but for what he's done to my sister 'hero' is the very last fucking word I'd use to describe the asshole.

obviously suffering from PTSD and should have been treated

Cobblers. To have PTSD you have to have a soul and emotions."
ive never met anyone without soul or emotions. You just need to look for them

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By *eneral HysteriaMan
over a year ago

Newcastle

It would seem this thread has disintegrated into something else now.

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By *uttyMan
over a year ago

Local to you maybe

"It would seem this thread has disintegrated into something else now."

Yep

Let's get it back on topic

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Adolf Hitler arguably had PTSD and mental/inadequacy problems from not getting on well at Vienna Art College...should we forgive him because of his 'past trauma.....

think there may be a bit of a difference there

Really? So anyone with PTSD can get sympathy for breaking the law, unless they're from a 'bad' country...? And we wonder how wars start!lol

well actually most wars have been started by religious fanatics and it still goes on"
Religion-blaming is preditable but incorrect. The truth is that ALL wars have been started by greedy businessmen (aka:'leaders') and those willing to follow them... Perhaps it's easier if we all just think for ourselves instead. Cheers

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By *nnyMan
over a year ago

Glasgow

"There are a lot of 'jumped up' oppiniated people on here on this thread. Perhaps you should try serve you country in a war zone. You may have a different one then!!! Enough said

I still have the shilling.yes me too. You would agree that not ever person in forces would see them selves as hero's. but the one thing they would all say in they are proud to serve and have served for their country"

Doesn't make them all perfect or heroes.

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By *enuineplayers plus 1Couple
over a year ago

newport

"It would seem this thread has disintegrated into something else now."
perhaps but there has been a lot of unrespectful comments about people we owe a dept of gratitude too

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By *nnyMan
over a year ago

Glasgow

This is a disgracei am open minded enough to know perhaps there may be more to the story. But a presentation weapon will have had its barrel filled and or firing pin remove thus rendering it nothing more than a piece of memorabilia"

'Should have had' is no defence. Then there's the issue of the ammo he'd hoarded.

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By *eneral HysteriaMan
over a year ago

Newcastle

[Removed by poster at 17/11/12 00:56:33]

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By *nnyMan
over a year ago

Glasgow

"It would seem this thread has disintegrated into something else now.perhaps but there has been a lot of unrespectful comments about people we owe a dept of gratitude too"

No question re the debt but no excuse for special treatment.

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By *eneral HysteriaMan
over a year ago

Newcastle

"It would seem this thread has disintegrated into something else now.perhaps but there has been a lot of unrespectful comments about people we owe a dept of gratitude too"

You're right, it would seem. I was just trying to bring back

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By *enuineplayers plus 1Couple
over a year ago

newport

"[Removed by poster at 17/11/12 00:56:33]"
sorry if I strayed but mad me angry. Just needed to say something

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"What does it say about our country when a former S.A.S soldier with an exemplary record is jailed for 18 Months for having a trophy gun presented to him by iraqi special forces, while Abu Qatada is free to walk our streets again ?He broke the law and has to pay the penalty. Carrying a gun is not allowed in this country unless you have a licence and its in controlled conditions,

But how can you be in the SAS and not have a license?

The same way an RAF pilot can fly a fighter jet yet not have a licence to fly a civilian plane.

A brylcreme boy, qualified on eg Harriers is permitted to fly any Harrier of that type."

I just know that a tornado pilot couldn't hire a plane with us in America yet one of us ground-crew could because they were in possession of a civvy licence.

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By *enuineplayers plus 1Couple
over a year ago

newport

"Adolf Hitler arguably had PTSD and mental/inadequacy problems from not getting on well at Vienna Art College...should we forgive him because of his 'past trauma.....

think there may be a bit of a difference there

Really? So anyone with PTSD can get sympathy for breaking the law, unless they're from a 'bad' country...? And we wonder how wars start!lol

well actually most wars have been started by religious fanatics and it still goes on Religion-blaming is preditable but incorrect. The truth is that ALL wars have been started by greedy businessmen (aka:'leaders') and those willing to follow them... Perhaps it's easier if we all just think for ourselves instead. Cheers

"
is that what you do?

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By *nnyMan
over a year ago

Glasgow

"What does it say about our country when a former S.A.S soldier with an exemplary record is jailed for 18 Months for having a trophy gun presented to him by iraqi special forces, while Abu Qatada is free to walk our streets again ?He broke the law and has to pay the penalty. Carrying a gun is not allowed in this country unless you have a licence and its in controlled conditions,

But how can you be in the SAS and not have a license?

The same way an RAF pilot can fly a fighter jet yet not have a licence to fly a civilian plane.

A brylcreme boy, qualified on eg Harriers is permitted to fly any Harrier of that type.

I just know that a tornado pilot couldn't hire a plane with us in America yet one of us ground-crew could because they were in possession of a civvy licence.

A fast jet is a very diffent kettle of fish to a heavy jet or a private plane.

I wouldn't want someone with a moped licence out driving an artic.

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By *acreadCouple
over a year ago

central scotland

"Adolf Hitler arguably had PTSD and mental/inadequacy problems from not getting on well at Vienna Art College...should we forgive him because of his 'past trauma.....

think there may be a bit of a difference there

Really? So anyone with PTSD can get sympathy for breaking the law, unless they're from a 'bad' country...? And we wonder how wars start!lol

Correct they never semm willing to go in and take out a cruel murdering dictator in a country with no mineral wealth.

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By *enuineplayers plus 1Couple
over a year ago

newport

"What does it say about our country when a former S.A.S soldier with an exemplary record is jailed for 18 Months for having a trophy gun presented to him by iraqi special forces, while Abu Qatada is free to walk our streets again ?He broke the law and has to pay the penalty. Carrying a gun is not allowed in this country unless you have a licence and its in controlled conditions,

But how can you be in the SAS and not have a license?

The same way an RAF pilot can fly a fighter jet yet not have a licence to fly a civilian plane.

A brylcreme boy, qualified on eg Harriers is permitted to fly any Harrier of that type.

I just know that a tornado pilot couldn't hire a plane with us in America yet one of us ground-crew could because they were in possession of a civvy licence.

A fast jet is a very diffent kettle of fish to a heavy jet or a private plane.

I wouldn't want someone with a moped licence out driving an artic."
ahh back to the thread.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Adolf Hitler arguably had PTSD and mental/inadequacy problems from not getting on well at Vienna Art College...should we forgive him because of his 'past trauma.....

think there may be a bit of a difference there

Really? So anyone with PTSD can get sympathy for breaking the law, unless they're from a 'bad' country...? And we wonder how wars start!lol

Correct they never semm willing to go in and take out a cruel murdering dictator in a country with no mineral wealth."

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By *enuineplayers plus 1Couple
over a year ago

newport

"Adolf Hitler arguably had PTSD and mental/inadequacy problems from not getting on well at Vienna Art College...should we forgive him because of his 'past trauma.....

think there may be a bit of a difference there

Really? So anyone with PTSD can get sympathy for breaking the law, unless they're from a 'bad' country...? And we wonder how wars start!lol

Correct they never semm willing to go in and take out a cruel murdering dictator in a country with no mineral wealth.

"
dont know of many wealthy business men in Afghanistan. What's Syria all about with all the sectarian killing? What's Iraq with sectarian killings. Ok let's list some more. India. Pakistan. N. Ireland. You know what pretty much everything going on around the world is religious based.

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By *enuineplayers plus 1Couple
over a year ago

newport

"Adolf Hitler arguably had PTSD and mental/inadequacy problems from not getting on well at Vienna Art College...should we forgive him because of his 'past trauma.....

think there may be a bit of a difference there

Really? So anyone with PTSD can get sympathy for breaking the law, unless they're from a 'bad' country...? And we wonder how wars start!lol

Correct they never semm willing to go in and take out a cruel murdering dictator in a country with no mineral wealth.

dont know of many wealthy business men in Afghanistan. What's Syria all about with all the sectarian killing? What's Iraq with sectarian killings. Ok let's list some more. India. Pakistan. N. Ireland. You know what pretty much everything going on around the world is religious based. "
perhaps we should get back to the thread. Maybe start another one!!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Adolf Hitler arguably had PTSD and mental/inadequacy problems from not getting on well at Vienna Art College...should we forgive him because of his 'past trauma.....

think there may be a bit of a difference there

Really? So anyone with PTSD can get sympathy for breaking the law, unless they're from a 'bad' country...? And we wonder how wars start!lol

Correct they never semm willing to go in and take out a cruel murdering dictator in a country with no mineral wealth.

dont know of many wealthy business men in Afghanistan. What's Syria all about with all the sectarian killing? What's Iraq with sectarian killings. Ok let's list some more. India. Pakistan. N. Ireland. You know what pretty much everything going on around the world is religious based. "
Wrong again - if it was religion based, being based on the dogma of religion, there wouldn't be wars. It's the twisted businessmen and politicians/leaders at fault. Every thinking person knows that

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By *nnyMan
over a year ago

Glasgow

"......perhaps we should get back to the thread. Maybe start another one!!"

But this one's such fun .........

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"......perhaps we should get back to the thread. Maybe start another one!!

But this one's such fun .........

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By *enuineplayers plus 1Couple
over a year ago

newport

"......perhaps we should get back to the thread. Maybe start another one!!

But this one's such fun .........

"
lets not high jack this one any longer. Start another. I'd be more than happy to join in

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By *enuineplayers plus 1Couple
over a year ago

newport

"Adolf Hitler arguably had PTSD and mental/inadequacy problems from not getting on well at Vienna Art College...should we forgive him because of his 'past trauma.....

think there may be a bit of a difference there

Really? So anyone with PTSD can get sympathy for breaking the law, unless they're from a 'bad' country...? And we wonder how wars start!lol

Correct they never semm willing to go in and take out a cruel murdering dictator in a country with no mineral wealth.

dont know of many wealthy business men in Afghanistan. What's Syria all about with all the sectarian killing? What's Iraq with sectarian killings. Ok let's list some more. India. Pakistan. N. Ireland. You know what pretty much everything going on around the world is religious based. Wrong again - if it was religion based, being based on the dogma of religion, there wouldn't be wars. It's the twisted businessmen and politicians/leaders at fault. Every thinking person knows that

"
oh I think not my dear

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"......perhaps we should get back to the thread. Maybe start another one!!

But this one's such fun .........

lets not high jack this one any longer. Start another. I'd be more than happy to join in"

War or thread...?

lol

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By *nnyMan
over a year ago

Glasgow

"......perhaps we should get back to the thread. Maybe start another one!!

But this one's such fun .........

lets not high jack this one any longer. Start another. I'd be more than happy to join in"

Would you try to lead it in a different direction and, if so, why?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"......perhaps we should get back to the thread. Maybe start another one!!

But this one's such fun .........

lets not high jack this one any longer. Start another. I'd be more than happy to join in

Would you try to lead it in a different direction and, if so, why?"
Because a public schoolboy with a funny hat and stripes on his shoulders told us to....!lol

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By *uttyMan
over a year ago

Local to you maybe

Taxi!!!

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By *enuineplayers plus 1Couple
over a year ago

newport

Just though I would suggest starting another thread and see where it goes. I'm at fault for high jacking this one.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Taxi!!!

"
lol. Night folks - and Peace to all

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By *acreadCouple
over a year ago

central scotland

"Adolf Hitler arguably had PTSD and mental/inadequacy problems from not getting on well at Vienna Art College...should we forgive him because of his 'past trauma.....

think there may be a bit of a difference there

Really? So anyone with PTSD can get sympathy for breaking the law, unless they're from a 'bad' country...? And we wonder how wars start!lol

Correct they never semm willing to go in and take out a cruel murdering dictator in a country with no mineral wealth.

Afghanistan has one of the biggest Lithium deposits on earth and the Americans are running out and they are peeved that the Chinese are already in there mining it and they also want to run a pipeline through it and thats not to mention the oil and gas deposits there.

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By *nnyMan
over a year ago

Glasgow

It's worth recalling the most recent victim in Afghan is Walter Barrie who rose through the ranks to Captain.

No public school. No funny hat. Stripes only in passing.

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By *enuineplayers plus 1Couple
over a year ago

newport

"It's worth recalling the most recent victim in Afghan is Walter Barrie who rose through the ranks to Captain.

No public school. No funny hat. Stripes only in passing."
hat off to Walter. I bet he was an out standing officer

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By *uttyMan
over a year ago

Local to you maybe

"It's worth recalling the most recent victim in Afghan is Walter Barrie who rose through the ranks to Captain.

No public school. No funny hat. Stripes only in passing.hat off to Walter. I bet he was an out standing officer"

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By *nnyMan
over a year ago

Glasgow

"It's worth recalling the most recent victim in Afghan is Walter Barrie who rose through the ranks to Captain.

No public school. No funny hat. Stripes only in passing.

hat off to Walter.

I bet he was an out standing officer"

By all accounts. He was also a Rangers fan and will be remembered at Ibrox tomorrow (today).

That'll ensure a %age of the population rejoice in his death.

Welcome to 21st century Scotland.

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By *enuineplayers plus 1Couple
over a year ago

newport

"It's worth recalling the most recent victim in Afghan is Walter Barrie who rose through the ranks to Captain.

No public school. No funny hat. Stripes only in passing.

hat off to Walter.

I bet he was an out standing officer

By all accounts. He was also a Rangers fan and will be remembered at Ibrox tomorrow (today).

That'll ensure a %age of the population rejoice in his death.

think it will be seen as veil ration of life like we do in Ireland

Welcome to 21st century Scotland. "

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By *uttyMan
over a year ago

Local to you maybe

"It's worth recalling the most recent victim in Afghan is Walter Barrie who rose through the ranks to Captain.

No public school. No funny hat. Stripes only in passing.

hat off to Walter.

I bet he was an out standing officer

By all accounts. He was also a Rangers fan and will be remembered at Ibrox tomorrow (today).

That'll ensure a %age of the population rejoice in his death.

Welcome to 21st century Scotland. "

Yes let's bring this down too eh

His death is nothing to do with which team he supported, I can assure you there is plenty of the so called percentage who served alongside and regarded him as a friend and colleague

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By *enuineplayers plus 1Couple
over a year ago

newport

"It's worth recalling the most recent victim in Afghan is Walter Barrie who rose through the ranks to Captain.

No public school. No funny hat. Stripes only in passing.

hat off to Walter.

I bet he was an out standing officer

By all accounts. He was also a Rangers fan and will be remembered at Ibrox tomorrow (today).

That'll ensure a %age of the population rejoice in his death.

Welcome to 21st century Scotland.

Yes let's bring this down too eh

His death is nothing to do with which team he supported, I can assure you there is plenty of the so called percentage who served alongside and regarded him as a friend and colleague"
fallen hero

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By *igblackdomTV/TS
over a year ago

West Midlands

"Having served in the forces, we are all fully aware that if we take any weapons from a war zone we must obtain an "FFE", (Free from Fire or Explosives) Certificate. In otherwords the weapon must be rendered useless. The fact he was in the SAS is irrelevant, we all must obey the law. The sentence was harsh (my friend got 14 days pay for something similar after Gulf War 1. Prison should be used to protect the public from dangerous people, this soldier posed no threat to the public.

That's a good point, friends who are service personnel have told me (before this case) how onerous the penalties are for bring 'trophy weapons' into the UK, there have been cases where ex military weapons have found themselves in the hands of criminals and subsequently used against civilians.

The most compelling evidence in his favour is the fact he unaware (we're told) that the weapon had been brought into the UK, either we're being told porkies about the evidence in the case or this soldier is the victim of a gross miscarriage of justice.

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By *igblackdomTV/TS
over a year ago

West Midlands

[Removed by poster at 17/11/12 01:44:57]

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By *abioMan
over a year ago

Newcastle and Gateshead

and someone didn't bother reading either the story or the thread earlier... because the whole point of the story is that this gun did not have its barrels filled..... and was not kept in a secure place!!!!

jeez... I would hope some people would understand the issue at hand before jumping in with both feet....

or turning the thread into another agenda for their own purpose....

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By *enuineplayers plus 1Couple
over a year ago

newport

jeez... I would hope some people would understand the issue at hand before jumping in with both feet....

or turning the thread into another agenda for their own purpose...."
well actually I did say 'there is perhaps more to the story and barrel should be and firing pin should be' so get off your high horse

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

jeez... I would hope some people would understand the issue at hand before jumping in with both feet....

or turning the thread into another agenda for their own purpose...."

The gun hadn't been altered because it was still in it's presentation box when the guy had been tranferred elsewhere and it was packed up and sent home with his things without anyone checking it. It arrived in the UK and was then found and the soldier charged.

The top brass, rather than admit that procedures weren't followed, then offered the guy a deal whereby if he admitted his guilt he'd get a leaner sentence but if he pleaded innocent and was found guilty he'd get five years. He went for the lesser of two evils and admitted it, and they sent him down for 18mos.

The issue here is not whether he was guilty, because he had the gun, it is concerning the deal he was offered and the bullying by the Army to get him to accept it. That isn't justice by any measure of the word and his case needs to be looked at again judged properly.

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By *ucky_LadsCouple (MM)
over a year ago

Kidderminster+ surrounding areas.

"When the EU make a decision that is it. Our courts and Laws are dictated by the EU. Our government has no balls or say how things realy are!

Discustingly true

why do we even need a government and mps at great expense when they are seemingly powerless to make decisions that affect our country & our lives?,save money and sack the lot and be governed direct by the EU.

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By *ucsparkMan
over a year ago

dudley

jeez... I would hope some people would understand the issue at hand before jumping in with both feet....

or turning the thread into another agenda for their own purpose....

And did I hear that he suffered a brain injury that wiped part if his memory including the birth of his daughter and being given the gun.

Seems strange I seem to remember kit being well checked on return to UK

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By *ouple in LancashireCouple
over a year ago

in Lancashire

world now.Nightingale's own solicitors claimed he'd "suffered brain damage". War hero or not, is this a person we'd want to have access to a handgun?"

would depend on the level of injury tbh..

if he was medically retired due to his injury then that may have an effect on his capability..

but if he was still serving, still 'FE1' then its a different issue..

knew some who were totally fit for duty who had to be watched feckin closely with anything more dangerous than a pencil sharpener..

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By *acreadCouple
over a year ago

central scotland

"It's worth recalling the most recent victim in Afghan is Walter Barrie who rose through the ranks to Captain.

No public school. No funny hat. Stripes only in passing.

hat off to Walter.

I bet he was an out standing officer

By all accounts. He was also a Rangers fan and will be remembered at Ibrox tomorrow (today).

That'll ensure a %age of the population rejoice in his death.

Welcome to 21st century Scotland. "

Always one bigotted moron on every thread.

There have been Rangers , Celtic, Hearts, Hibs supporters etc died in this and all other conflicts so dont insult them with your narrow minded bigot views.

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By *acreadCouple
over a year ago

central scotland

"It's worth recalling the most recent victim in Afghan is Walter Barrie who rose through the ranks to Captain.

No public school. No funny hat. Stripes only in passing.

hat off to Walter.

I bet he was an out standing officer

By all accounts. He was also a Rangers fan and will be remembered at Ibrox tomorrow (today).

That'll ensure a %age of the population rejoice in his death.

Welcome to 21st century Scotland. "

Youn have once again managed to bring your religious hatred to a legitimate thread I would suggest you keep it yourself as apart from a few like you from both sides of that divide no one wants hear that bile.

Maybe another thread on the ops subject is the way to go now as it has been hijacked beyond belief.

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By *uttyMan
over a year ago

Local to you maybe

"It's worth recalling the most recent victim in Afghan is Walter Barrie who rose through the ranks to Captain.

No public school. No funny hat. Stripes only in passing.

hat off to Walter.

I bet he was an out standing officer

By all accounts. He was also a Rangers fan and will be remembered at Ibrox tomorrow (today).

That'll ensure a %age of the population rejoice in his death.

Welcome to 21st century Scotland.

Maybe another thread on the ops subject is the way to go now as it has been hijacked beyond belief."

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By *nnyMan
over a year ago

Glasgow

"It's worth recalling the most recent victim in Afghan is Walter Barrie who rose through the ranks to Captain.

No public school. No funny hat. Stripes only in passing.

hat off to Walter.

I bet he was an out standing officer

By all accounts. He was also a Rangers fan and will be remembered at Ibrox tomorrow (today).

That'll ensure a %age of the population rejoice in his death.

Welcome to 21st century Scotland.

Maybe another thread on the ops subject is the way to go now as it has been hijacked beyond belief."

I have no religious hatred. I have a hatred of religion and the fact remains, there are some who won't shed a tear over the death of a supporter of the 'other' team - regardless of which team that is.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"And did I hear that he suffered a brain injury that wiped part if his memory including the birth of his daughter and being given the gun.

Seems strange I seem to remember kit being well checked on return to UK

My gut feeling is that someone fucked up by not checking his kit properly (remember he was already in the UK being treated when his kit was packed on his behalf and sent over), and that subsequently, when the gun was discovered, he was given the ridiculous ultimatum of accepting a lower sentence if he admitted to being guilty, or a five year term if he declared himself innocent and was then found guilty. They hung him out to dry basically and he was going to be 'guilty' no matter how he pleaded. That is not justice and he needs to be judged properly and without bias.

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By *ucsparkMan
over a year ago

dudley

"And did I hear that he suffered a brain injury that wiped part if his memory including the birth of his daughter and being given the gun.

Seems strange I seem to remember kit being well checked on return to UK

Which is under English law everyone is untitled too. Innocent until proved guilty never believed in bargaining.

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By *nnyMan
over a year ago

Glasgow

I dunno about England but in Scotland someone pleading guilty at an early diet is entitled to a reduction on the sentence thay'd have been given had they stood trial and been convicted.

The reduction is one-third.

It looks as if this chap got 18 months instead of 5 years. That's more than one-third off.

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By *nnyMan
over a year ago

Glasgow

Captain Walter Barrie (from Scotland on Sunday)

"EVERY day, Captain Walter Barrie went for a run round Forward Operating Base Shawqat. At a pace men half his age would struggle to keep up with, the 41-year-old officer could be spotted circuiting the base in the dusty heat of one of the British Army’s most remote outposts in Afghanistan and where, since his deployment in August, he had become one of its central characters.

Last Sunday should have been a day much like any other at Shawqat, which squats on the remains of an old fort last used by the British in the 19th century to fight the Russians. It was Remembrance Day, and in the morning, a service to honour the fallen was held. Barrie, of the Royal Scots Borderers 1st Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland, went for his daily run. And in the afternoon, there was a football match.

Barrie, of course, was playing. Glasgow born and bred, he was a passionate Rangers fan, football mad his pals joked. And in his latest posting as a mentor with the transition support unit in Nad-e-Ali, training and advising members of the Afghan National Army, he saw football as a great way to strengthen the relationship between the Afghans and their British counterparts.

During the kickabout, Mohammad Ashraf, a new Afghan recruit from the Panjshir valley who was said to have argued with some of the soldiers on base, approached Barrie and shot him at close range. Barrie was killed. His attacker died shortly afterwards following a shoot-out.

The Royal Regiment of Scotland has a motto. Nemo me impune lacessit: no one attacks me with impunity, or, in plain old Scots, wha daur meddle wi me? In the week since Barrie’s death, many of his friends and colleagues have expressed their shock and disbelief that anyone would meddle with Barrie. He was honest. Friendly. Funny. Decent. He had a word and a smile for everyone – the ideal sort of guy to be mentoring wide-eyed Afghan soldiers who in less than two years will be in charge of security in a country where Barrie has become the 438th British soldier to die in the past 11 years.

“There are people the length and breadth of the UK who knew Walter Barrie who are trying to move through this period of disbelief,” says Lieutenant Colonel Sandy Fitzpatrick, commanding officer of 6 Scots and a close friend of Barrie’s. “Morale takes a dip. Nobody was ever a stranger to Walter. Once you’d met him, you’d never forget him.”

The first time I heard the name Walter Barrie was in 2008, in Afghanistan, when 2 Scots Royal Highland Fusiliers, whom I was embedded with as a reporter, were deployed to Helmand as part of 16 Air Assault Brigade. Back then, Barrie was the battalion’s Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM), formidable yet likeable, the battalion’s “senior soldier” and revered by those who served under him. With over 20 years in the Army, he already had tours of Iraq, Kosovo, Bosnia and Northern Ireland under his belt and relished the chance to get involved in Operation Herrick – the British Army’s name for the Afghan conflict. I’d heard of him while I was in theatre – everyone had, everyone knew Barrie – but I hadn’t yet met him.

“He was one of the best RSMs you could get,” says Gary Stewart, a close friend of Barrie’s who signed up to the Army at the same time as Barrie, back in 1987, and served with him in Afghanistan in 2008. “He was like a thoroughbred. Everything he did was absolutely to a tee. No matter where he was, he was always immaculate.”

Barrie and I eventually met in Edinburgh in 2010 to discuss the Royal Highland Fusiliers’ White Hackle Fund. By this time he had been commissioned as an officer, and appointed the battalion’s Unit Welfare Officer. White Hackle, named after the distinctive plume in the Fusiliers’ caps, was an ambitious project to raise money and provide support for the families of those who might be injured during the battalion’s upcoming second tour of Afghanistan, and Barrie was at the heart of it. He was keen for the fund to be publicised, and along with his commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Dougie Graham, agreed that Scotland on Sunday could spend the day with him as the battalion prepared for deployment.

And so it was that Barrie and I met again at Glencorse Barracks in Penicuik, early in September of that year. The place was a hive of activity. The entire battalion was being deployed to Afghanistan just a few weeks later and the barracks thrummed with life as kits were packed, equipment moved, and desert boots broken in.

Over at Glencorse’s family centre, the command post for the 150 or so houses on the base and the families that occupy them, Barrie greeted me warmly. He had arranged for a number of families to come in to be interviewed, soldiers in their uniforms with their wives, children and babies. He knew them all by name, was funny and kind, and put them at their ease with myself and the photographer, laughing and joking as he did so. I quickly saw that he was in his element. Those who knew him well tell me that when it came to the Army, he always was.

Unit Welfare Officer is, say many soldiers, one of the most difficult jobs an officer can do. You are the first point of contact for wives, mothers, fathers and children, all of them anxious for news about their loved ones deployed to a theatre of war. At the same time, you’re left behind while the rest of your battalion heads to the frontline, keeping the home fires burning while your colleagues are fighting. It takes a certain strength of character.

“I’ll be expected to look after the families back here,” Barrie told me that day after we’d settled in his office and he’d fetched me a cup of coffee. “We’ve got a large estate of houses here. I’m the focal point for all the extended families, for all the single soldiers as well.” He smiled, and his blue eyes twinkled. “I’m here to provide what we term primary welfare and support.”

This could mean anything from marshalling a school bus, which Barrie kept a weather eye out the window for that day as we talked, to arranging panto tickets to the Kings Theatre. But there were, of course, other, more sobering responsibilities.

“The biggest pressure for me is that I’ve been in this battalion for 23 years and I know the majority of the soldiers, I know most of the families, so the biggest pressure for me is making sure we provide the support that’s needed for them. I don’t relish the task,” he said frankly, a crease forming between his brows. “If there are casualties it’s about providing support to their families. It’s a thing I’ll deal with as I go along.”

We both knew what he was talking about. All soldiers know that when they are deployed to a war zone, there is the chance that they might not come home. In 2010, the “green on blue” attacks – in which Afghan National Army members turn against their British mentors and which Barrie so tragically became a victim of – were not as common as they are now, but it had been the deadliest year in the country for British troops so far. When Barrie and I met that day, 103 had already lost their lives.

This was, Barrie hoped, where the White Hackle Fund would come in. A fundraising initiative with wristbands and a website – he was wearing one of the wristbands itself, as well as a blue shirt that, while trying to be casual, also looked as if it had been ironed within an inch of its life – it would provide financial support to families whose loved ones had been injured or killed. Barrie had been trying to master Twitter recently, as the Commanding Officer was keen to try to keep people updated while he was on the frontline, and admitted to me with a wry smile that he had yet to fully get to grips with it. “None of us are exactly IT experts, but we’re trying,” he’d said with a laugh.

During the battalion’s deployment the fund would go on to raise almost £40,000. It was a huge achievement, and one Barrie had been central to.

Towards the end of my interview with Barrie, he confessed to me that it would be difficult for him during that tour, to stay behind. “I’ve always been a soldier, doing a soldier’s job,” he said. “I’ve never been the guy who stayed back.”

If there is sense to be made of such a senseless and wicked death as Barrie’s it is, as his sister Donna said last week, that he died “doing a job he loved”. That he relished the chance to go back to Afghanistan this August was never in doubt.

“You join the Army to be a soldier,” says Stewart. “You want to be out there doing it. That was Walter.”

This time, he was deployed with 1 Scots the Royal Scots Borderers, whom he had moved to last year after 24 years with the Royal Highland Fusiliers. It was a change, but Barrie adapted.

“Wherever Walter went he always met someone,” says Fitzpatrick. “He always made a friend. It didn’t matter if it was a soldier from a different battalion, a different army, a different country. And it was never really about him. It was always about somebody else. He was interested in everybody he met, whoever they were.”

Last Sunday, it was another welfare officer who had to impart the dreadful news about Barrie’s death to his ?wife Sonia and 15-year-old son Callum. His body was flown back to RAF ?Brize Norton on Thursday and returned to his family, who will now be receiving the sort of care and support that ?Barrie had been so good and kind at giving to other families in their terrible situation.

As Barrie’s funeral cortege passed through the Oxfordshire town of Carterton on Thursday afternoon, a single bell tolled. Soldiers and veterans lined the streets to salute their fallen comrade. Many of them wore the distinctive white hackle of the Royal Highland Fusiliers, the battalion Barrie joined at just 17 years old, and to whom he dedicated so much of his life.

Of all the soldiers I have met, Barrie understood perhaps better than most the impact on those left at home when soldiers go to war. When I heard about his death last week, something he had said during our interview came back to me.

“It’s difficult,” he had said. “I’ve always been the guy that’s been deployed with the battalion and been on operations. It’s probably made me realise there’s an awful lot of pressure on the people left behind. Especially the emotion of seeing friends go out the front gate.”

When Walter Barrie went out the front gate of his Edinburgh barracks back in August, no-one – not least the many friends, family and colleagues whom he left behind – was in any doubt of his calibre as one of the Royal Regiment of Scotland’s finest.

That he won’t be coming back is a tragedy that for many of those who met him still doesn’t quite feel real."

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By *nnyMan
over a year ago

Glasgow

I know that's a bit long for some folks. Bear with it if you can.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

[Removed by poster at 18/11/12 02:12:32]

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By *acreadCouple
over a year ago

central scotland

"I know that's a bit long for some folks. Bear with it if you can."

You still disrespected the other half of the Scots who serve in the armed forces look up Monkhouse from Greenock who was only one of 3 Tic supporters to die in that and two were from Greenock

year guys like you who have never sevrved and assume make my blood boil.

Why dont you try youself ?

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By *enuineplayers plus 1Couple
over a year ago

newport

"I know that's a bit long for some folks. Bear with it if you can.

You still disrespected the other half of the Scots who serve in the armed forces look up Monkhouse from Greenock who was only one of 3 Tic supporters to die in that and two were from Greenock

year guys like you who have never sevrved and assume make my blood boil.

Why dont you try youself ?"
they wouldn't have the bottle. Wouldn't know hard if it came and slapped them on the face. 'Blood boiling together'

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By *enuineplayers plus 1Couple
over a year ago

newport

"I know that's a bit long for some folks. Bear with it if you can.

You still disrespected the other half of the Scots who serve in the armed forces look up Monkhouse from Greenock who was only one of 3 Tic supporters to die in that and two were from Greenock

year guys like you who have never sevrved and assume make my blood boil.

Why dont you try youself ?they wouldn't have the bottle. Wouldn't know hard if it came and slapped them on the face. 'Blood boiling together'"
god. That story is fantastic. People on 'civvy' street really don't get it with soldiers, old and new

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"People on 'civvy' street really don't get it with soldiers, old and new"

Would that be ALL people on civvy st?

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By *enuineplayers plus 1Couple
over a year ago

newport

"People on 'civvy' street really don't get it with soldiers, old and new

Would that be ALL people on civvy st?

A soldier signs up to do a job because he's driven to do it. It isn't because he wakes up one morning and has fallen in love with his country just that little bit more than civvies do. I love my country but I'm not very good with authority, especially jumped assholes who think they have the right to tell me to die for a reason they don't even know themselves."
yes all. Oh and by the way no one tells you to die. Shit happens and people get killed. No one joins the military to get killed. Grrrrr that high horse is around again

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By *nnyMan
over a year ago

Glasgow

"People on 'civvy' street really don't get it with soldiers, old and new

Would that be ALL people on civvy st?

A lot of people enlist because there's no other employment available or to escape a difficult home life.

Some enlist because it's a family tradition.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Danny Nightingale has won his appeal and had his sentence suspended.

Sanity has prevailed.

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By *etillanteWoman
over a year ago

Great News

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