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Copyright Neil Evans 2009-
Damian Davies
Damian Davies, of Telford, Shropshire,
killed in Afghanistan, December 12th 2008.
Marine, Royal Marines, Landing Force
Support Party (LFSP), Commando Logistic Regiment
Born in Shrewsbury Hospital October 20th 1981 to Ken and Maddison Davies, then of Trench Road, Trench. He was one of 5 children, brothers Carl, Warren, Austin and sister Ceri. Warren is a serving Marine. Damian whilst growing up attended Teagues bridge school, he also attended St. Matthews School in Donnington from the age of 10 to 16, when he went onto Wrockwardine wood School.
Damian was a chatty child as he was an adult. He smiled, laughed a lot, and played in The Cockshutt making hide outs with his brothers. Damian attended a church in Dawley called Evangle, for 4 years from age 9 he liked the lively Service. Aged 10 Damian joined Donnington first aid he loved it and was awarded for his dedication. Aged 13, Damian started doing paper rounds for Eastments in Wrockwardine wood which he did till full time work he did both Am and Pm rounds Sundays and extra when asked he later helped in shop both here and St. Georges.
When Damian left School, he got a job at Denso Hortonwood, which he did not like it so went along to Shrewsbury recruiting office and joined the navy, March 5th 2000, he also found that not interesting enough so in November 2001, he transferred to marines. He did his training with both 821 troop and 830 troop, 830 troop being the troop he passed out from. Damian was held back from training due to training injury, Damian passed out on Friday 13th December 2002. Ironically, as his father pointed out, he hoped it was not going to be an omen. On completion of training Damian started his job as driver at drivers branch Chivenor Barnstable, his first draft involved commando logistic regiment as member of Landing force support Party.
During his service, Damian married Joanne Talbot, June 3rd 2005, at St. Georges, Telford. After they married, Joanne joined Damian in married quarters until he left for Afganistan. They had moved their possessions back to Telford with view to moving in to yellow stone, where Damian and Jo lived before their marriage. They had one son, Matthew, Joanne was expecting their second child, however due to the stress of Damians death, Joanne tragically lost their second child.
I’m comforted to think it is now with its Daddy while I am here on earth caring for Matthew. I am lucky to have spent 5 and a half very special years with him though and will treasure that time for the rest of my life. Joanne Davies
He later transferred, after more training as a staff car driver at Fleet headquarters , a driving job that took him to palace, he drove for very high ranked navy person, until he again, transferred to another unit and after more training as coach driver, Damian joined the training team at training centre commando Royal Marines as coach driver. Here Damian had his call to go to Afghanistan, he d also put his leaving chitt in.
When Damian arrived in Afghanistan training, he was told he was no longer on list as he was due to leave December 2008, Damian was not at all happy at this so made a noise, as he wanted to go, he wanted to come out having served his county and gained a medal for doing so, a medal that he could be proud of and show his grandchildren one day.
He went to Afghanistan on September 16th 2008 on operation Herrick9, Damian was based at Camp Bastian until December 1st 2008, when he transferred to FOB NOLAY at Sangin. It was whilst Damian was based here he was wounded December 12th 2008, in an explosion, a wheel barrow bomb, pushed by a boy thought to be about 13 years old. Damian survived the blast for nearly 2 hours. He was air lifted to Bastian hospital where, he later died in surgery. His body was repatriated at RAF Lytham, the following week. Damian’s funeral was on Christmas Eve 2008, at St. Georges, Telford.
Any one is welcome to view and pay their respect to our HERO we have a half mast flag with flowers still there photos can be taken if liked as they are still there at moment.
Maddison Davies
His Commanding Officer, Colonel A T W Maynard, said:
"The Commando Spirit resonates in every recollection of Marine Damian Davies. His courage was resolute as his tragic death in the front line is testament to. His determination and unselfishness are underscored by his reputation for being the first to volunteer for any tasks, and his cheerfulness is epitomised by the fact that nobody can remember him without a ready smile. At work his style was understated and selfless, and he had a reputation for working hard. Nevertheless, although he was a loyal and dedicated Royal Marine, his focus in life was his family his wife Joanne and son Matthew. His extended family in the Commando Logistic Regiment share their loss and their pain, and our thoughts are with them at this time."
His Squadron Commander, Major Marcus Taylor Royal Marines, said:
"An experienced and popular member of the squadron, Marine Davies was always at the forefront of activity and the first to volunteer from his troop no matter how difficult or dangerous the mission. A proud husband and father, Marine Davies will leave a void in many lives that will be impossible to fill. Cruelly and tragically taken from us, he will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege to know him. Our thoughts are with his parents, wife and young family."
Officer Commanding X-
"Marine Davies was a consummate professional. Dedicated to his family, friends and
the Royal Marines, his death is a tragic loss. A specialist in his field, he died
while on operations with X-
His Troop Commander, Lieutenant Edward Argles Royal Marines, said:
"Marine Damian Davies was one of the most professional and dedicated members of his troop. Always first to volunteer he could be relied upon to achieve any task given to him to the best of his abilities, usually with a cigarette in his hand, and wasn't content unless he'd completed the task fully, a true 'bootneck'. Marine Davies had been sent to FOB [Forward Operating Base] Nolay to join the Forward Logistic Node as one of the most experienced marines within the troop and was a massive support to his Troop Sergeant, while operating with 45 Commando Royal Marines. A very proud and loving husband and father, my thoughts and that of the troop's are with his young family."
His Troop Sergeant, Sergeant Kenyon, said:
"Marine Damo Davies was one of the strongest characters of the Troop, always joking and with a permanent smile on his face even in the worst conditions. He was once in the Royal Navy (which we never let him forget) but wanted a harder challenge and, seeing the light, joined the Royal Marines. Unlike many, he never complained about anything and always put 110% effort into all he did. Damo never liked being stuck on camp and was always itching to get out on the ground to do the job he was trained for. Damo was well liked by all who knew him and by everyone who ever met him. He will be sorely missed and forever remembered by all."
Corporal Ben Parks and Marine Lee Douglas, 1 Troop LFSP, said:
"The first image of Damo was that of him sitting in his chair outside his tent, cigarette
in one hand and a coffee in the other. In work Damo was the first to volunteer no
matter what the task and he would make sure it was seen through to the end, never
afraid of getting his hands dirty and not happy unless it was completed perfectly.
Back in Chivenor, Damo was always talking of his wife Joanne and son Matthew; he
loved and adored them with all his heart, and what a huge heart he had. Damo will
be remembered as a 'bootneck's' 'bootneck', a true work-
John Hutton, Secretary of State for Defence, said:
"It is clear that Marine Damian Davies was an expert in his field and a professional and dedicated member of Commando Logistics Regiment. His death is a tragic loss and my sympathies are with his wife Joanne and son Matthew. They along with the rest of his family, friends and colleagues are in my thoughts at this most difficult time."
Two more heroic servicemen died as a result of the blast.
Sergeant John Henry Manuel, Royal Marines, Company HQ, X-
Corporal Marc Birch, Royal Marines, 6 Troop, X-
Tributes
Information supplied by Maddison Davies (Mother) and Joanne Davies (Wife). Tributes: Defence News, Ministry of Defence. Photographs supplied by Maddison Davies.
