Names of Four of the Six Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan released

Canadian Forces Army News ^ | 2007-07-04 | (press release)

[Clive]

News Release

Names of Four of the Six Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan released

CEFCOM NR–07.023 - July 4, 2007

OTTAWA – The names of four of the six Canadian soldiers killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan on July 4, 2007 are as follows:

Captain Matthew Johnathan Dawe, 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, based in Edmonton, Alta.;

Master Corporal Colin Bason, a reservist from The Royal Westminster Regiment based in New Westminster, B.C.;

Corporal Cole Bartsch, 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, based in Edmonton, Alta.; and

Private Lane Watkins, 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, based in Edmonton, Alta.

At the request of the family, the names of the remaining two soldiers killed, are being withheld temporarily.

The soldiers were killed when their RG-31 vehicle struck a suspected improvised explosive device approximately 20 km southwest of Kandahar City. An Afghan interpreter was also killed in the blast. The incident occurred while the soldiers were returning from conducting joint patrol operations with the Afghan National Army.

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NOTE TO EDITORS:

Photographs of the deceased soldiers are available on the Combat Camera Website (search under last name) at: http://www.combatcamera.ca/.

[Clive]

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[Clive]

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[ishabibble]

Rest in peace, brave Canadians. May God comfort their families.

[SandRat]

If only the presstitues would leave their families alone.

[Perdogg]

God Bless our North Allies.

[Dubya]

Soldier rest, Gently pressed,
To the calm, Mother Earth's
Waiting breast;
Duty done, Like the sun:
Going West.

TAPS

[exg]

Thanks for the post and the ping They shall not grow old as we who are left grow old. Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, We will remember them.

[sneakers]

God speed, brave men. And thank you for your service.

All gave some. Some gave all....

Prayers for their families. :-(

[Clive]

Traditional military bagpipe lament:

Flowers of the Forest

[Dubya]

Thank you.

[fanfan]

Captain Matthew Johnathan Dawe

Master Corporal Colin Bason

Corporal Cole Bartsch

Private Lane Watkins

[fanfan]

Soldier Died Doing What he Loved: Mom
Josh Pringle
Thursday, July 5, 2007

The mother of one of six Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan says he died doing something he believed in.

Ann Bason told CTV News Colin was probably one of the first reservists to join when the call went out for volunteers for the Afghan mission.

Master Cpl. Colin Bason was a reservist from the Royal Westminster Regiment based in New Westminster, BC.

Bason was among six Canadian troops and an Afghan interpreter killed when their armoured vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb west of Kandahar.

Ann Bason says Colin was “very proud that he got picked.”

Bason adds “the sad thing is he only had six weeks left to go before he was on his way home. But how many people get to do the things they really love and he loved the infantry.”

CTV News reports the solider leaves behind his partner of four years and a baby daughter who will be five months old Sunday.

[Dubya]

Flowers of the Forest

[exg]

"Military seeks support for soldiers’ families, not debate on mission" "These are the saddest of days and saddest of events for our brigade," he said. " We must ensure that their families hear a clarion call of love and support from Canada..." "No matter what your opinion is, these soldiers are working on behalf of all Canadians..." --------------------------------------- --It had to be said. http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/story.html?id=61a628d2-5bb9-4328-934f-6223ace220d2&k=40042

[eleni121]

Just a shame...the finest and bravest protecting us all.

May the Lord comfort their families and protect us all from Satan.

[ellery]

God bless these heroes, and comfort their loved ones and their country.