Army pays tribute to Roch crash victims

The three lost their lives when their silver Skoda Fabia left the road and came into collision with a garden wall.

Their colleagues in the 14th signal regiment, based at the Cawdor Barracks in Brawdy, have spoken of three men who were not only fine soldiers but also sterling friends.

Corporal Dan Ginty, aged 26, was the oldest of the three. At the age of 19 he enlisted into the army. A qualified military parachutist, he had been with the 14th Signal regiment since June 2008.

His superiors said that Corporal Ginty, originally from Welwyn Garden City, had excelled in deployments to both Iraq Afghanistan. He had volunteered for a further tour of duty in Afghanistan.

“Corporal Dan Ginty’s tragic death has struck at the heart of my regiment,"said Lieutenant Colonel Tim Carmichael, Dan’s Commanding Officer.

"My prayers are with his family and I offer them our sincerest condolences at their loss. Dan was one of the regiment’s rising stars. He had volunteered to return to Helmand Province and was due back there next month. So it is all the more sad that he should die in a road traffic accident so near to home.

"Dan was the best of his bunch – a strong leader and role model for the junior lads. His passing has left a hole that will be hard to fill.”

Major Andy Aitken, Officer Commanding 245 Signal Squadron (Electronic Warfare), said the entire squadron was absolutely devastated by the loss of Corporal Ginty.

"He was one of life’s real characters, as well as being a truly outstanding soldier," he said.

"Through his physical fitness, trade skills, command qualities and positive attitude, he led by example. He was a true professional, and a good friend. He will be sorely missed.”

Staff Sergeant Martin Arundel, Corporal Ginty’s Team Commander, said:

“Dan has been what only can be described as a rock, throughout the pre-deployment training of the last 6 months. I have come to rely on his knowledge, experience and good sense of humour over this particularly testing period.

"I speak confidently on behalf of our close Light Electronic Warfare Team, and indeed the whole squadron, when I say Dan will be sorely missed, both professionally and socially. Rest in peace, mate. You will always be in our thoughts.”

See below for a tribute from Adam Ginty, Daniel's brother.

Tributes have also been paid to Lance Corporal Chris Beckett, aged 25, from Telford.

He joined the Army in April 2005 and enlisted into the Royal Signals. In July 2006 he was posted to Brawdy's 14th Signal Regiment and joined 226 Signal Squadron (Electronic Warfare).

In March 2008 he deployed to Helmand Province for seven months, providing support to 16 Air Assault Brigade on Operation HERRICK 8.

Lance Corporal Beckett was described as a consummate professional who loved his trade and life in the army, who performed to the highest possible standards and proved to be an indispensable member of the squadron.

Major Ben Fitch, Officer Commanding 226 Signal Squadron (Electronic Warfare), said:

“Even though this was only his first posting in the army after his basic training, Lance Corporal Chris Beckett was already a popular and well-respected junior non-commissioned officer.

"He was a spirited young man who had proved himself under fire on our recent operation in Afghanistan. He had a very bright future ahead of him in the army and his death is a great loss to all those who served with him.

"Of course, our thoughts are with his family during this sad and difficult time.”

Lieutenant Colonel Tim Carmichael, Chris’ Commanding Officer, said:

“I was deeply saddened by the loss of Lance Corporal Chris Beckett, whose family are in my thoughts and prayers at this terrible time.

"Already in this, his first assignment in the Royal Signals, Chris had faced the tough challenge of an operational tour in Helmand Province. To have returned from there and yet have his life cut short within a few miles of my regiment’s base in Pembrokeshire is particularly tragic.

"Chris Beckett was an enthusiastic young man who was learning his trade at an impressive rate. He will be missed by everyone in my regiment.”

Lance Corporal George Burton, one of Chris’ friends said:

“I’m going to miss our games of squash, though I won’t miss you beasting me around the court. At least you can rest easy knowing Chesterfield did the double over Port Vale. I guess we’ll never be able to go touring round Europe now. I’m going to miss you big time.”

Corporal Jimmy Luton was the third person in the car. He was 24 years old and lived in Belvedere, Kent.

He joined the Army six years ago and enlisted into the Royal Signals. Upon promotion to Corporal he was posted to 226 Signal Squadron 14th Signal Regiment in Brawdy.

Initially employed as a workshop technician, he was soon selected to go to Afghanistan. In March 2008 he deployed to Helmand Province also serving for seven months on Operation HERRICK 8.

His superiors said that his contribution to the operation was excellent and his gregarious personality saw him become one of the most popular members of the squadron.

On his return to the UK he completed his Military Parachute Course, earning his British Military Parachute wings.

Lance Corporal Gaz Magee, one of Jimmy’s friends, said:

“Just being in the same room as Jimmy would put a smile on your face. He was the ultimate ladies’ man, with his chiselled good looks and bags of charm. He was an awesome mate and will be dearly missed by all his friends. Never forgotten.”

Lieutenant Colonel Tim Carmichael, Jimmy’s Commanding Officer, said:

“I was shocked to hear of the death of Corporal Jimmy Luton. My thoughts and prayers, and those of all my regiment, are with his family at this most difficult of times.

"We in the army, and my regiment in particular, have suffered losses on operations in Afghanistan and elsewhere in recent years, so it is particularly poignant that he had only recently returned from an operational tour in Helmand Province, where he had served with distinction fighting the Taliban.

"Jimmy was a fine man and a capable soldier with a ready smile; he will be sorely missed by all his comrades and friends in the regiment.”

Major Ben Fitch, Officer Commanding 226 Signal Squadron (Electronic Warfare), said:

“The loss of Corporal Jimmy Luton will be deeply felt across all ranks of the squadron. Naturally, our thoughts are with his family during this sad and difficult time.

"Jimmy was one of the foremost members of the squadron, and I was honoured to have served alongside him during our recent deployment to Afghanistan, where he proved himself to be an excellent technician and field soldier.

"He continued in a similar vein on return from Helmand, fulfilling his ambition to become a military parachutist before his untimely death. Jimmy died in the company of two of his friends and all members of the squadron mourn his passing.”