WIREDGOV

Posthumous Bravery Award For War Hero

News Release issued by the COI News Distribution Service on 28 September 2009

The MoD is proud to announce that a Commanding Officer who served with the Welsh Guards was awarded a posthumous bravery medal this afternoon. Lieutenant Colonel Rupert Thorneloe of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, who was killed by an explosion in Afghanistan, has been awarded the Estonian Defence Forces Distinguished Service Decoration.

The award was presented to Lt Col Thorneloe’s widow, Mrs Sally Thorneloe, at a private ceremony in London’s Wellington Barracks - Regimental Head Quarters of the Welsh Guards - which was attended by Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup; Chief of Defence of the Estonian Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Ants Laaneots; Lt Col Thorneloe’s parents, Major and Mrs Thorneloe and his sister, Jessica.

Accepting the award, Mrs Thorneloe said: “Before deploying to Afghanistan as the Commanding Officer of the 1 st Battalion Welsh Guards my husband, Rupert, thought it important to meet all the soldiers he would command on operations in Helmand Province. Of course this included the Estonian contingent. I knew this would mean not seeing him just before Easter, but he always put his soldiers first and it was one of the characteristics which made him such a capable and compassionate commander. Those first steps were crucial in nurturing a strong relationship between him and “his Estonians” as he later liked to refer to them.

“That initial bond of trust and respect, forged in that first visit, grew strong and true throughout his time in command in Helmand. He often remarked how proud he was of his Estonians and what terrific friends and brothers-in-arms they had become. He grew to love them dearly.

“He would be humbled and proud in equal measure to be awarded this decoration from the Estonian Defence Forces.”

Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup paid tribute to Lt Col Thorneloe, saying: “I was very saddened to learn of the tragic death of Lieutenant Colonel Rupert Thorneloe in Afghanistan in July. He was an exceptional officer and he is greatly missed by his colleagues and deeply mourned by his family. I am touched that the Chief of Defence of the Estonian Defence Forces has decided to award, posthumously, the Estonian Defence Forces Distinguished Service Decoration to Rupert for battlefield service, and has taken the trouble to present the award personally at a private event to Rupert’s widow, Sally, this afternoon.”

The award was presented by Chief of Defence of the Estonian Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Ants Laaneots in recognition of Lt Col Thorneloe’s bravery and the support that he provided to Estonian troops.

He said: “Estonians very quickly recognise and appreciate others who demonstrate the attributes of honour, integrity, comradeship and respect for others. It became very clear to me, and other Estonians, who met Lieutenant Colonel Rupert Thorneloe, that he was one of those who possessed and valued these attributes. Because of his outstanding personal and professional skills as a soldier and as a commanding officer, which became well known to the Estonian contingent in Helmand, as well as in the Estonian defence community in general, his tragic loss came as a shock and continues to be strongly felt.

Whilst I know there is nothing that can compensate for the loss of a loved one and a valued comrade in arms, I hope this, my personal award, will serve as a reminder and impress upon you, as he did on us, how much we, in the Estonian Defence Forces, appreciated knowing him in life, and how deeply heartfelt we continue to feel his passing.“

Notes to Editors

For further information, please contact Mohammed Hussein at the MOD Press Office on 0207 218 2661.

Pictures of the presentation are available at defencenewsimagery.mod.uk

Contacts:

Geri Mahoney Moore
Phone: 020 7218 7958
geri.mahoney-moore113@defence.gsi.gov.uk