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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Marine was 'enormous character' | Marine was 'enormous character' |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A marine who died five days after being hit by a blast in Afghanistan was an "enormous character", his commanding officer has said. | A marine who died five days after being hit by a blast in Afghanistan was an "enormous character", his commanding officer has said. |
| L/Cpl Robert Martin Richards, 24, from near Betws-y-Coed, Conwy, was serving with the Royal Marine Armoured Support Group when he was injured. | |
| He was flown back to hospital in the UK but died on Wednesday. | He was flown back to hospital in the UK but died on Wednesday. |
| L/Cpl Richards, who was unmarried, joined the Marines in 2002 and served on three tours to Afghanistan. | L/Cpl Richards, who was unmarried, joined the Marines in 2002 and served on three tours to Afghanistan. |
| He qualified as a Viking all-terrain vehicle operator in 2006. | He qualified as a Viking all-terrain vehicle operator in 2006. |
| Commanding officer Major Richard Hopkins described him as a "unique, utterly confident and accomplished Viking operator". | Commanding officer Major Richard Hopkins described him as a "unique, utterly confident and accomplished Viking operator". |
| Like a stick of rock if you snapped him in half he would have Royal Marines Commando written the whole way through Cpt Scott Ashley | Like a stick of rock if you snapped him in half he would have Royal Marines Commando written the whole way through Cpt Scott Ashley |
| "His eccentric pranks and arid banter coupled with his ability to dress in quirky PT kit or the most obscure items of issued clothing made him stand out starkly in the group and for all the right reasons. | "His eccentric pranks and arid banter coupled with his ability to dress in quirky PT kit or the most obscure items of issued clothing made him stand out starkly in the group and for all the right reasons. |
| "He was simply an enormous character in the Armoured Support Group Royal Marines (ASGRM) and he has left his mark on all of us. | "He was simply an enormous character in the Armoured Support Group Royal Marines (ASGRM) and he has left his mark on all of us. |
| "He clearly possessed his own inimitable style of leadership, routed firmly on personal example and loyalty and this was an obvious and phenomenal force in the group." | "He clearly possessed his own inimitable style of leadership, routed firmly on personal example and loyalty and this was an obvious and phenomenal force in the group." |
| His family said in a statement: "Martin was an exceptional young man, much loved by all his family and friends. He touched the hearts of all who knew him. | His family said in a statement: "Martin was an exceptional young man, much loved by all his family and friends. He touched the hearts of all who knew him. |
| "Martin was a keen sportsman and played football for his local team, Machno United, when back on leave. | "Martin was a keen sportsman and played football for his local team, Machno United, when back on leave. |
| "Martin achieved his goal, his whole ambition in life, seven years ago, when he joined the Marines. | "Martin achieved his goal, his whole ambition in life, seven years ago, when he joined the Marines. |
| "His and his family's proudest moment was when he passed out as a Marine Commando. | "His and his family's proudest moment was when he passed out as a Marine Commando. |
| "Martin, Robert to his friends and colleagues in the Marines, was regarded as a brave, courageous and supportive soldier, who was a keystone of the group. Martin died doing the job he loved and will be sadly missed." | "Martin, Robert to his friends and colleagues in the Marines, was regarded as a brave, courageous and supportive soldier, who was a keystone of the group. Martin died doing the job he loved and will be sadly missed." |
| 'Impression' | 'Impression' |
| Colleagues in his unit spoke of him as a "hoofing marine who showed all the qualities of the Commando ethos", who was outspoken, fearless and courageous. | Colleagues in his unit spoke of him as a "hoofing marine who showed all the qualities of the Commando ethos", who was outspoken, fearless and courageous. |
| Captain Scott Ashley, second in command of the unit, added: "L/Cpl Rob Richards was a true Bootneck and like a stick of rock if you snapped him in half he would have Royal Marines Commando written the whole way through. | Captain Scott Ashley, second in command of the unit, added: "L/Cpl Rob Richards was a true Bootneck and like a stick of rock if you snapped him in half he would have Royal Marines Commando written the whole way through. |
| "He was a talented sportsman and very proud of his Welsh roots and would continually let the Englishmen in the group know what he thought of the English game of rugby. | "He was a talented sportsman and very proud of his Welsh roots and would continually let the Englishmen in the group know what he thought of the English game of rugby. |
| "I had the privilege and honour of working with Rob over the last four years and he definitely left an impression on not only me but everyone who ever worked with him or whose paths he crossed. My thoughts are with his family at this difficult time." | "I had the privilege and honour of working with Rob over the last four years and he definitely left an impression on not only me but everyone who ever worked with him or whose paths he crossed. My thoughts are with his family at this difficult time." |