It is with sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm that Lance Corporal Richard Scanlon, from 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards was killed in Afghanistan on Thursday 17 November 2011.
Richard was the son of Ray Scanlon, Royal Welch Fusiliers. Many of us would have served with Ray, who was with A Coy (3 Pl) and SP Coy in the mid 70's/80's. Richard was born in 1980, whilst we were stationed in Lemgo.
Lance Corporal Richard Scanlon served with B Squadron, 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards. He deployed to Afghanistan on 18 October, 2011 as part of Task Force Helmand’s Formation Reconnaissance Squadron. After completing his in-theatre training, he moved forward to the Combined Force Nahr-e-Saraj (North) (CF NES(N)) Main Operating Base PRICE, from where his Troop was one of those tasked with securing vital routes passing through the district, as well as supporting ground holding companies north of Helmand’s second city, Gereshk.
Lance Corporal Scanlon, from Rhymney, Gwent, was born on 14 November 1980. He joined the Army in November 1998. He passed out of training in October 1999 and joined his Regiment, 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards in Catterick. He was known for his fantastic sense of humour; he had the ability to make anyone smile, whatever the circumstances.
Lance Corporal Scanlon deployed to Bosnia in 2001 and Iraq in 2003 and 2005 before deciding to leave the Army in July 2006. After being dissatisfied in a number of civilian jobs he rejoined the Army and the Regiment in September 2009 and was promoted to Lance Corporal in October 2010.
He was a genuine regimental character and will be hugely missed by all who knew him. He leaves behind his mother Cherry, step-father Robert, father Raymond and sisters Lisa and Emma.
Lance Corporal Scanlon’s family have paid the following tribute:
“Richard was a fun loving young man who enjoyed life to the full. He had a great love for his family – always helping them out whenever he could when needed.
“Richard was a great character and he will be sorely missed by his family and all who knew him. There will never be anyone else like our Richard.”
Hello,
The Bridgend Branch of the Royal Welch Fusiliers Comrades Association, send their deepest sympathy to Ray & Cherry on their sad loss, also to his friends and fellow comrades in the Q.D.G.
jungle1810.
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