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One of British soldiers killed in training named as Matthew Hatfield One of British soldiers killed in training named as Matthew Hatfield
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One of the two British soldiers killed during a tank training exercise in the UK has been named as father-of-one Matthew Hatfield. One of the two British soldiers killed during a tank training exercise in the UK has been named as Matthew Hatfield.
Friends and family paid tribute to the 27-year-old member of the Royal Tank Regiment, who died following the incident at Castlemartin ranges in Pembrokeshire, south-west Wales. Two other soldiers who were wounded continue to be treated in hospital. Friends and family paid tribute to the 27-year-old member of the Royal Tank Regiment, who died after an incident at Castlemartin ranges in Pembrokeshire, south-west Wales. Two other soldiers who were wounded continue to be treated in hospital.
It is understood there was an explosion or intense fire inside a Challenger 2 tank on Wednesday. No other tank was involved and the Challenger was not hit by a shell.It is understood there was an explosion or intense fire inside a Challenger 2 tank on Wednesday. No other tank was involved and the Challenger was not hit by a shell.
Police and military personnel are investigating and a worldwide ban on tank live-firing exercises involving British troops has been put in place.Police and military personnel are investigating and a worldwide ban on tank live-firing exercises involving British troops has been put in place.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has yet to confirm the identifies of the men who lost their lives. Hatfield, a father of one from Wiltshire, was named on the This Is Wiltshire website and friends and family posted tributes on Facebook.
Hatfield, from Wiltshire, was named on the This Is Wiltshire website and friends and family posted tributes on Facebook. One said: Sleep tight Matthew Hatfield … Great memories growing up together and your messages to me whilst I was out in Afghan from your experiences.”
One said: Sleep tight Matthew Hatfield ... Great memories growing up together and your messages to me whilst I was out in Afghan from your experiences.”
Another said: “The stories I could tell from being little rebels to mischievous teenagers to see you grow into a kickass soldier, a father and a wonderful friend to many. You sir have done your family proud, I’m lucky to have known and shared so many memories with such a kindhearted person.”Another said: “The stories I could tell from being little rebels to mischievous teenagers to see you grow into a kickass soldier, a father and a wonderful friend to many. You sir have done your family proud, I’m lucky to have known and shared so many memories with such a kindhearted person.”
The two deaths were confirmed by the defence minister, Tobias Ellwood. He said: “The safety of our personnel is our absolute priority and a full investigation is under way to understand the details of this tragic incident.” The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has yet to confirm the identifies of the men who died.
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: “The defence accident investigation branch is conducting an investigation in conjunction with the civilian police. The defence minister, Tobias Ellwood, confirmed that two people had died in the incident. He said: “The safety of our personnel is our absolute priority and a full investigation is under way to understand the details of this tragic incident.”
“A ban on tank live-fire training has been put in place until the findings of the investigation are known. Further action will follow as appropriate.” A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: “The defence accident investigation branch is conducting an investigation in conjunction with the civilian police. A ban on tank live-fire training has been put in place until the findings of the investigation are known. Further action will follow as appropriate.”
On 7 June the Wiltshire-based regiment, whose motto is “fear naught”, posted on its Facebook page that Badger squadron had arrived in Castlemartin for its annual firing period.On 7 June the Wiltshire-based regiment, whose motto is “fear naught”, posted on its Facebook page that Badger squadron had arrived in Castlemartin for its annual firing period.
On 11 June an update showed a video of a tank firing on the range. The accompanying post said: “FIRING! Here a crew from BADGER take on a tank target in Castlemartin. FEAR NAUGHT.”On 11 June an update showed a video of a tank firing on the range. The accompanying post said: “FIRING! Here a crew from BADGER take on a tank target in Castlemartin. FEAR NAUGHT.”
The Royal Tank Regiment is the oldest tank unit in the world and has been deployed in key conflicts since the end of the second world war. This year the regiment has conducted exercises in countries including South Korea and Jordan.The Royal Tank Regiment is the oldest tank unit in the world and has been deployed in key conflicts since the end of the second world war. This year the regiment has conducted exercises in countries including South Korea and Jordan.
The police said detectives were investigating the incident with the Health and Safety Executive and the MoD.The police said detectives were investigating the incident with the Health and Safety Executive and the MoD.