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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Tributes paid to veteran airman | Tributes paid to veteran airman |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Tributes have been paid to the oldest British serviceman killed in the wars in either Iraq or Afghanistan. | Tributes have been paid to the oldest British serviceman killed in the wars in either Iraq or Afghanistan. |
| Gary Thompson, 51, of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, a husband and father to five daughters, was managing director of a Nottingham company. | Gary Thompson, 51, of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, a husband and father to five daughters, was managing director of a Nottingham company. |
| His family said he was "the rock and foundation of our family". | His family said he was "the rock and foundation of our family". |
| In February, he said in a newspaper interview that he was in Afghanistan to ensure girls there could have the same opportunities as his own daughters. | |
| Also killed in the blast near Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan was Graham Livingstone, 23, of the Royal Air Force Regiment, from Glasgow. | Also killed in the blast near Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan was Graham Livingstone, 23, of the Royal Air Force Regiment, from Glasgow. |
| He leaves one young son. Two other personnel were injured in the attack. | He leaves one young son. Two other personnel were injured in the attack. |
| The men had been taking part in a security patrol in Daman District as part of Support Weapons Flight of 3 Squadron RAF Regiment, when the general purpose Land Rover they were travelling in struck a roadside bomb. | The men had been taking part in a security patrol in Daman District as part of Support Weapons Flight of 3 Squadron RAF Regiment, when the general purpose Land Rover they were travelling in struck a roadside bomb. |
| Success in business | Success in business |
| Senior Aircraftman Thompson joined the RAF in 1973 but left four years later to pursue a career in business. | Senior Aircraftman Thompson joined the RAF in 1973 but left four years later to pursue a career in business. |
| I want women in Afghanistan to be given the same opportunity that my daughters have had Senior Aircraftman Gary Thompson | I want women in Afghanistan to be given the same opportunity that my daughters have had Senior Aircraftman Gary Thompson |
| He became managing director of Sherwood Ducting Limited in Nottingham but in 2005 he became a reservist, serving as a gunner and later a mortar man in the Royal Auxiliary Air Force. | He became managing director of Sherwood Ducting Limited in Nottingham but in 2005 he became a reservist, serving as a gunner and later a mortar man in the Royal Auxiliary Air Force. |
| Mr Thompson joined No 504 (County of Nottingham) Squadron. | Mr Thompson joined No 504 (County of Nottingham) Squadron. |
| His family said: "Gary was more than our hero, he was the rock and foundation of our family. | His family said: "Gary was more than our hero, he was the rock and foundation of our family. |
| "Words cannot express how much he was loved and how proud of him we are. Gary, you have had our hearts from the beginning and now they are yours forever." | "Words cannot express how much he was loved and how proud of him we are. Gary, you have had our hearts from the beginning and now they are yours forever." |
| He leaves behind his wife Jacqui and five daughters: Laurie, 24, Aimee, 22, Jordan, 20, Jade, 17 and Kelly, 16 - who he said inspired him to serve in the war against the Taleban. | He leaves behind his wife Jacqui and five daughters: Laurie, 24, Aimee, 22, Jordan, 20, Jade, 17 and Kelly, 16 - who he said inspired him to serve in the war against the Taleban. |
| In February, SAC Thompson told his local paper, the Rutland and Stamford Mercury: "I have five daughters, three of whom are at university. | In February, SAC Thompson told his local paper, the Rutland and Stamford Mercury: "I have five daughters, three of whom are at university. |
| Both men were killed at Kandahar airport | Both men were killed at Kandahar airport |
| "I want women in Afghanistan to be given the same opportunity that my daughters have had. | "I want women in Afghanistan to be given the same opportunity that my daughters have had. |
| "It means I can come back and say I have played my part in trying to make that happen." | "It means I can come back and say I have played my part in trying to make that happen." |
| SAC Thompson was third XV vice-captain at Southwell rugby club and spokesman, Andrew Smith, said there would be a minute's silence in his memory at several rugby matches in Nottinghamshire this weekend. | SAC Thompson was third XV vice-captain at Southwell rugby club and spokesman, Andrew Smith, said there would be a minute's silence in his memory at several rugby matches in Nottinghamshire this weekend. |
| "He was at the centre of a lot of club activities over the past few years. He was always the life and soul of the club." | "He was at the centre of a lot of club activities over the past few years. He was always the life and soul of the club." |
| 'Humour and skill' | 'Humour and skill' |
| His commanding officer, Squadron Leader Richard Langley described SAC Thompson, nicknamed Tommo, as "a consummate professional soldier and airman". | His commanding officer, Squadron Leader Richard Langley described SAC Thompson, nicknamed Tommo, as "a consummate professional soldier and airman". |
| "He was not one to seek the attention, but was the voice of calm and reason who continuously supported the squadron's less-experienced gunners," he said. | "He was not one to seek the attention, but was the voice of calm and reason who continuously supported the squadron's less-experienced gunners," he said. |
| Senior Aircraftman Graham Livingstone "died doing the job loved" | Senior Aircraftman Graham Livingstone "died doing the job loved" |
| Sqn Ldr Langley said the regiment's thoughts were with their families, adding: "The loss of Tommo and Livi is a tragic blow to all who knew, trained and fought alongside them. | Sqn Ldr Langley said the regiment's thoughts were with their families, adding: "The loss of Tommo and Livi is a tragic blow to all who knew, trained and fought alongside them. |
| "Both men were immensely popular and professional, and the humour both brought to the squadron was immeasurable." | "Both men were immensely popular and professional, and the humour both brought to the squadron was immeasurable." |
| Defence Secretary Des Browne said he was "greatly saddened" by the deaths. | Defence Secretary Des Browne said he was "greatly saddened" by the deaths. |
| "They were both extremely well liked and popular airmen and will be sorely missed by all who knew them." | "They were both extremely well liked and popular airmen and will be sorely missed by all who knew them." |
| The deaths bring the number of UK service personnel killed in Afghanistan to 93. | The deaths bring the number of UK service personnel killed in Afghanistan to 93. |