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Army bomb expert killed clearing way for vital supplies
Nicholas Cecil, Deputy Political Editor22 Jul 2009
Captain Daniel Shepherd was killed while trying to clear way for vital supplies
One of the Army's most highly qualified bomb disposal experts has been killed in Afghanistan.
Captain Daniel Shepherd died instantly when the makeshift bomb he was trying to defuse exploded in the Nad-e Ali District in Helmand province, southern Afghanistan. A member of his team suffered minor injuries.
Capt Shepherd, 28, from 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment, The Royal Logistic Corps, was leading a team trying to clear a route for a convoy to re-supply Nato troops and the local population.
He had dealt with more than 50 devices in Afghanistan. He was shortly to take up a post at the Permanent Joint Headquarters in Northwood,
focusing on countering the threat from improvised
explosive devices in Afghanistan.
Joint Headquarters in Northwood focusing on countering the threat from such bombs. The 187th member of the armed forces to die in Afghanistan since 2001, he leaves a wife, Kerry.
Gordon Brown came under renewed pressure today to provide more helicopters for troops there after Foreign Office Minister Lord Malloch-Brown declared: “We definitely don't have enough.”
The bomb disposal hero told of the battle to avoid being “caught out” by the Taliban just weeks before being killed by a roadside blast.
His extraordinary bravery was seen by millions of people when he was filmed by ITV News late last month taking the “long and lonely walk” to make safe a hidden bomb by a bridge in Babaji in Helmand, southern Afghanistan.
Capt Shepherd made his way towards the bridge using a metal detector to avoid other improvised explosive devices which may have been laid as part of increasingly sophisticated Taliban ambushes.
Capt Shepherd, who was praised for being “unflappable” in the face of danger, had already dealt with more than 50 makeshift bombs in Afghanistan.
But he told how he and other bomb disposal experts faced a daily fight to stay ahead of the Taliban as they developed tactics and explosive skills.
“They're extremely clever,” he told ITV News. “They have got some very good intelligence on the way we conduct our business.
“They watch us closely, trying to find ways to catch us out in future. It's a case that we have to be aware that every action that we take could be used as a way of catching us out in future.”
Capt Shepherd was killed on Monday after a roadside bomb he was trying to defuse exploded.
His devastated wife Kerry today told of her pride in her husband who was praised by military chiefs for his astonishing courage.
“He was doing what he loved. I was so proud of him,” she said. “I have not lost just a husband but a best friend and he will be missed by everyone.”
In recognition of his expertise, Capt Shepherd, from Lincoln, was due to take up a high-profile appointment, focused on countering the threat from improvised explosive devices in Afghanistan, at the Permanent Joint Headquarters in Northwood.
“He was incredibly courageous yet immensely modest about his own stunning achievements.
“A consummate and technically gifted Ammunition Technical Officer, Dan understood fully the dangerous nature of his job yet every day was the first to put his own life on the line.”
Lieutenant Colonel Gareth Bex, Commanding Officer 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment, added: “Dan was the ultimate professional and very much, a soldier's soldier.
“With a calm and confident air that belied his age, Dan was the man you would want with you in a difficult situation. In some small way it is a comfort knowing that he died doing the job he loved and for which he was highly respected.”
Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth said the loss of Capt Shepherd was “deeply saddening”.
Capt Shepherd also leaves behind his parents David and Judith and his brother Paul. A statement on behalf of his family said: “We are very proud of our youngest son and husband. He lived life to the full.
“Daniel worked hard to achieve all he set out to do in his career in the Army.
“He has left a huge hole in our family and our lives and will be sadly missed. He is in our thoughts, always.”
A total of 187 British soldiers have died in Afghanistan since the start of the conflict in 2001.
Experts risk their lives every day
Soldiers from 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment risk their lives every day in Afghanistan as they clear hundreds of makeshift bombs.
The death of Captain Daniel Shepherd will be a hard loss for the regiment, part of The Royal Logistics Corps.
Last September Gary O'Donnell, 40, died after leading a a small team sent in to clear an improvised explosive device. He was posthumously awarded a Bar to his George Medal which he received for bravery in Iraq.
The regiment is the Army's specialist unit responsible for counter-terrorist bomb disposal and explosive ordnance disposal.
It has around 500 specialist soldiers selected from five individual corps within the British Army. The exact number of operatives in Afghanistan is kept secret as such information could be used by the Taliban.
Reader views (11)
If you dont stand behind our soldiers, please feel free to stand in front of them!
- Kelly, London, 28/07/2009 00:34
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Another pointless waste of life.I am sure this man joined the Army to ensure the security of our country.
I wonder what he thought of being sent on a fools' errand that led to his,and local people's deaths.
This is the dark side of Globalisation.
- Jimfred, London Uk, 23/07/2009 01:08
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A tragic loss of life. Please remember it was this mans choice to travel thousands of miles to Afganistan. This man was a trained killer as all of our army personnel are. How many Taliban (Afganistan) people were killed to day. They have no option they were born in the country. Nothing in the English Press about the tragedy of Afganisan people killed!
- Des Egan, london. UK, 22/07/2009 17:39
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The bravest of the brave. I salute you brave soldier. As a veteran of a viscious counter insurgency war involving these damn bombs I have always been in awe of their cool courage. My blood boils when I see oiks playing football paid millions and these incredible men die in far off places keeping us safe.
- James Macleod Ritchie, Oyster Bay Cove, 22/07/2009 17:36
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Phil Jones: if you fire a missile at a bridge, you don't have a bridge to cross afterwards. They're acting in super-short time because of the risk of attack, don't forget. You start to see why they would prefer to arrive in a helicopter . . .
Brave, brave man: as they all are. This campaign is not pointless - Iraq was: it stemmed from petty spite in the Bush family - but the campaign in Afghanistan is combatting the Taliban, Al Qaeda and the drugs trade and is welcomed by both the Government of that country and most of its citizens. Instead of worshipping the false idols of pop, celebrity and football the children of Britain should uphold the courage, selflessness and commitment of men like Capt. Shepherd and perhaps they would see how more rewarding life is on a team instead of in a gang. Self-sacrifice for the greater good of Society is in rather short supply these days.
- Roz, France, 22/07/2009 15:59
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What a tragedy to a brilliant young man in service to his country. I don't think Afghanistan will ever be a nation without war, historically starting amongst the tribes, and now we add another death of this handsome British soldier.
- Michael P. Richards, Los Angeles, California, USA, 22/07/2009 14:38
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During the Northern Ireland troubles I often wondered why we weren't out along the roadsides, planting bombs BEFORE the bad guys got there, rather than tidying up afterwards.
This is so sad: I wonder how many of our politicians have been in the military, or have children who are? Perhaps it should be a qualification for public office to have done a job like Captain Shepherd's first.
- Mdj E10, london uk, 22/07/2009 11:49
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During the Northern Ireland troubles I often wondered why we weren't out along the roadsides, planting bombs BEFORE the bad guys got there, rather than tidying up afterwards.
This is so sad: I wonder how many of our politicians have been in the military, or have children who are? Perhaps it should be a qualification for public office to have done a job like Captain Shepherd's first.
- Mdj E10, london uk, 22/07/2009 11:48
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A sad day for British forces,just like the days before him for the other 186,who have not died in vain protecting us from the savagery of international terrorism.
- David Nigel Braham, Milan Italy, 22/07/2009 10:45
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My deepest sympathy and best wishes to Kerry, his wife, during this difficult time.
- Penny Pincher, London, 22/07/2009 10:20
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I've been wondering why these bombs couldn't all be detonated remotely rather than risking lives by disarming them. Once a location is identified, why isn't a missile fired at it?
- Phil Jones, London UK, 22/07/2009 10:17
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