Sacrifice beyond the call of duty

Prime Minister visits the Afghan frontline

FRONT LINE: Mr Brown with troops at Roshan Tower

SO PROUD: Marc and Charlene marry just weeks ago

SPECIAL DAY: Marc and Charlene

MY HERO: Joanne, now pregnant, marries Damian in 2005

VICTIM: 'Jamie' Fellows

VICTIM: 'Manny' Manuel

From IAN KIRBY in Helmand Province, 14/12/2008

ONE of the British soldiers killed by a 13-year-old suicide bomber in Afghanistan had just got married, the News of the World can reveal.

Royal Marine Marc Birch, 26, wed sweetheart Charlene in August.

His colleague Damian Davies, 27, who died in the same appalling attack, leaves behind a pregnant wife and a young son.

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Their stories emerged as Gordon Brown paid a historic visit to the Afghanistan front line-the first British leader to do so since Winston Churchill in 1944.

Speaking just 30 miles from where the soldiers died, Mr Brown told troops: "I wanted to come here to thank you myself for your bravery, which goes beyond the call of duty, for your sacrifice, your patriotism and your sacrifice."

The PM also visited Musa Qala-the former Taliban HQ-and held talks with two former warlords.

The third marine to die in the suicide attack was named as Sergeant John Manuel, 38.

The soldiers died when a boy of 13 blew up a wheelbarrow he was pushing packed with explosives in Sangin.

Disgust

A fourth marine killed an hour earlier in a separate roadside bombing was named as Lance Corporal Steven "Jamie" Fellows, 26.

The dangerous nature of Mr Brown's secret visit was underlined when he was delayed because the RAF Hercules due to transport him into the country was being used to carry out the bodies of the four marines.

After finally arriving at Camp Bastion, Mr Brown and his Special Forces bodyguards were whisked by Sea King helicopters to the isolated Roshan Tower, an observation post overlooking Taliban positions in the Upper Sangin Valley.

Former PM Tony Blair visited Camp Bastion but never ventured nearer the fighting.

Speaking about Friday's appalling suicide attack, Mr Brown said: "It is a terrible commentary on the Taliban that they should use a 13-year-old suicide bomber to kill our troops. I feel disgust and horror.

"There is a chain of terror that goes from the Pakistani and Afghani mountains right across here and could end up in our towns and cities."

Details of the lives of the four marines continued to emerge last night.

MARC BIRCH married sweetheart Charlene at St John the Baptist Church in Kingsthorpe, Northampton, on August 23.

The corporal wore his best dress uniform with his service medals pinned proudly to his chest. Marc listed his interests on his Facebook page as: "Football, golf, beer, travelling, anything outdoors. Oh and my lovely Mrs."

A Liverpool football fan, he described himself: "I've been told I'm a good laugh-think the joke's on me. I'm in training to be an alcoholic and I'm bloody good looking."

The heavy weapons expert was known as Birchy to his pals.

One of them, Marine Joe Hawley, said: "He was devoted to his wife Charlene and extremely close to his family. It was clear to all of us that he loved them very much. Everyone who had the pleasure of meeting him and who would put up with his abysmal jokes will sorely miss Birchy."

His Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Jim Morris, said: "Corporal Birch was an outstanding Royal Marine Commando and a popular and very capable leader."

Meanwhile family were comforting DAMIAN DAVIES' wife Joanne at her home in Wrekin, Shropshire.

Colleague Lee Douglas said: "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."

Damian's Commanding Officer, Colonel A Maynard, said: "The Commando Spirit resonates in every recollection of Marine Damian Davies."

JOHN MANUEL's father, also called John, from Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, said: "I'm devastated. Why him?

"I don't understand. John and another of my sons were in the marines and I stopped another one of my sons going in because I know the conditions over there aren't fair."

Wonderful

Last night the soldier's mates said "Manny" was a motorbike nut devoted to his girlfriend Rachel.

They said they were planning a memorial trip to Germany in the Spring to legally clock 100mph on the autobahn-as Manny had intended after his return home.

His Commanding Officer Major Richard Maltby said: "Sergeant Manuel died doing what he loved, commanding a detachment on operations and taking the fight to the enemy.

"His loss will not only be felt by the company and battle group, but also across the Royal Marines Corps."

Lance Corporal STEVEN FELLOWS' wife Natalie last night spoke of her devastation as she paid tribute to the soldier known as Jamie.

She said: "Jamie was my childhood sweetheart. He meant the world to me and I am devastated.

"He was kind, supportive and he put everyone before himself. He was a wonderful husband and also my best friend. He would do anything for his family and friends and I will miss him always."

A spokesman for the MoD said: "Lance Corporal Fellows typified the finest qualities of a Royal Marine Commando."

Defence Secretary John Hutton last night paid individual tributes to all four marines.

Mr Brown said he had made his secret trip to Afghanistan because he was determined to show how British forces now command more of hostile Helmand.

Courage

At Roshan, which has been attacked by rockets 27 times since October, he spoke to the soldiers who will spend Christmas watching over Taliban positions and firing missiles into their trenches.

Mr Brown also used their powerful telescopes to gaze into No Man's Land. He then flew on to Musa Qala, which was the Taliban's main headquarters until it was recaptured by British and Afghan forces last Christmas.

British forces are still being ambushed and rocketed by enemy forces in and around Musa Qala every day and troops were given just a few hours notice of the visit.

Mr Brown told the troops: "Winston Churchill said courage is the greatest quality of all because it is on courage that everything else depends."

Walking around without body armour, he added: "I wanted to come here to give my support to the troops who are doing a brilliant and magnificent job. I wanted also to see the progress that has been made over the past year.

"A year ago, where we are standing was held by the Taliban. Thanks to the huge efforts of our soldiers working with the Afghan people, this is now a place where people are able to live and work.

Suicide

"A new school and health centre are about to open.

"This is still very much the front line against the Taliban but it is very important people understand the work being done here is making it safer for people here in Afghanistan and in our towns and cities."

While in Musa Qala, Mr Brown held talks with Deputy District Governor Said Agha and Police Commissioner Koko.

This time last year both men were directing Taliban attacks against the British but have swapped sides to back the new Afghan government.

Both bluntly told Mr Brown they had only swapped sides because the British and Afghan governments were offering better opportunities for their tribes.

Later, the PM flew on to Kabul for talks with President Hamid Karzai at his heavily fortified compound. Mr Brown told the president he will send a "multi-agency taskforce" made up of British customs officials, lawyers, accountants and detectives to Kabul to help the Afghan government fight corruption.

Britain will also give £7million to Afghanistan to help prepare for the national elections due in September.

Mr Karzai described Mr Brown as a "great friend to Afghanistan" and added: "I passed on my heartfelt condolences to the families of the British forces who died.

"Britain has always stood by Afghanistan in these hard times and I want to express my gratitude."

Meanwhile soldiers in Iraq were stunned by the apparent gunshot suicide of Corporal Lee Churcher, 32, from Nuneaton, Warwicks, at the Basra airbase.

The death followed another apparent suicide of Lance Corporal David Wilson, 27, who was found dead from a gunshot wound at the same airbase ten days ago.

Additional reporting: ROBERT KELLAWAY, RYAN SABEY and PHIL WHITESIDE

Marco Pierre White meets troops in Iraq

Your comments

This article has 23 comments

I'm a friend of marc birch and i'd like to take a moment to thank you for putting up some pictures of birchy the way he always was, smiling. It filled me with loads of morale when i saw them and anyone who knows birchy will know he has always been good at dishing out morale with his endless wind ups and desire to take half your wages in some sort of bet. Most pictures you see are military one which dont do justice to such a cracking bloke.

R.I.P Birchy, you will always be remembered!!!

By michael glen. Posted February 12 2009 at 12:59 PM.

Marc Birch is my little brother. I would just like to thank you all for your kind comments. It means so much to our family to have people like yourselves, (of which most of you we havent met) take the time to do things like this. Marc died doing what he loved to do, i wish he was here with us now but we cant turn the clocks back. We need to look forward and to carry on being so very proud of what he has achevied, this applys to every single service man and woman who have lost their lives but also to those that are still serving for our country. I have the upmost respect for them all. My thoughts are with John Manuel, Damian Davies,Steven Fellows and Aaron Lewis's familys.Take care of each other up there boys.Good night and god bless Marc. I love you so much. See you again one day, love Laura xxx

By laura birch . Posted January 15 2009 at 1:04 PM.

My family and I had the great pleasure of becomimg friends with Steven 'Jamie' Fellows when he spent most of 2006 with his relations Col and Bev Page in Newcastle,Australia.
From the very beginning we loved him,he was kind,reliable,great fun to be with and we teased him about giant spiders and man eating kangaroos when he took a holiday up the coast of Australia.
Even though we were in our fifties and Jamie only twenty three he was great company and Col's brother got him work on building sites in Newcastle.
Some of the boys took advantage to his trusting nature and gave him a hard time on those sites.
But, Jamie took it in his stride and on the funny side of these pranks.
We met Jamie whilst on holiday at Edinbourgh in Scotland in June 2007. We missed out on the sights of that great city as we got bailed up for the day in a local pub with Jamie.
Looking back it was the best thing we did on that trip.
We never met his then fiance, Natalie, but Jamie had her with him on his phone camera.
He told us of his future plans, a marrage, a tour of Afganistan and bringing Natalie to Australia to meet all his friends out here.
This will never happen now, I will always remember this beautiful bloke..
I hope the price he paid is worth it for the future of our countries......
Somehow, I think he's been robbed. He has missed a wonderful life.
Keep safe mate, we will never forget you.

Richie and Lee BLANCH

By Richie Blanch. Posted December 20 2008 at 11:42 PM.

Hi webmaster! xdc

By . Posted December 16 2008 at 9:30 PM.

I served with john "manny"manuel in "O" company, comacchio group Rm, and what a shining example he was to the guys around him on how to be an "allrounder"
my heart goes out to the close people around him at this immensley difficult time,as that of other fellow fallen royals!! real proffesionals,real men,may u all rest in peace bootys!!

By NIGE HERNON.. Posted December 16 2008 at 3:35 PM.

The Cost of a Soldier

A True Soldier is tough indeed
standing tall and strong when there is a need
A Soldier also feels sadness, pain, and sorrow
Sometimes not looking forward to the trials of tomorrow

When a Soldier is wounded in battle
the nerves of his buddies it does rattle
When news reaches friends and family at home
how their worries and minds begin to roam

A wounded Soldier feels inadequate at best
stopping him from much needed healing rest
A wounded Soldiers wonders will he ever be alright,
trusting in God that he'll make it through the night.

When a Soldier is wounded far beyond repair
the loss and pain felt can not compare
The Cost of a Soldier is set so very high
they assure our freedom will always apply

To stand beside a Soldier and walk through his pain
will humble a civilian, no longer to complain
Love, patience, trust and hope is what a Soldier needs
to get them through some very treacherous deeds

Dear Lord please watch over our Military today
as they work to keep our freedom everyday
For the wounded and the families of Soldiers lost
Please Bless them with abundant love, for we know not the cost.

The Cost of a Soldier is set so very high
our support for them we should never deny

"Thank You from American my family will keep your family in our prays"

By Ginger. Posted December 15 2008 at 7:15 PM.

My thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of these brave royals at this awful time... My heart goes out to each and every one of them.
For some people this may seem like a pointless war but my boyfriend is out there and our boys are doing a brilliant job and i know we have to stay positive for them.
RIP Royals...

By Nat G. Posted December 15 2008 at 6:49 PM.

Just more sad casualties of a crazy war! This is a war of occupation which Britain will not win. It will eventually have to pull out of Afghanistan. Pull out now before any more lives are wasted!

By Michael O'Dwyer. Posted December 15 2008 at 6:38 PM.

Can you remove the picture of that bag of shit, Brown, from the same page as these brave men

By BrenGun. Posted December 15 2008 at 5:18 PM.

I have to say that I really object with the soldiers in this article being called victims. They are not victims they are casualties of war. To call them vitims is shoddy and beneath their sacrifice. It seems the problem both in American and Britain is this attitude that everyone is a victim. These are soldiers who chose to serve because they loved their country, just like 99% of the other military men and women serving their countries. Lets not forget it's because of brave men and women in far away places like this battling an enemy that will stop at nothing to destroy our way of life that we are able to speak and live freely.

God Bless Our Troops!

By John. Posted December 15 2008 at 3:00 PM.

My friend lost his brother in Iraq last year and now another 4 brave men will be joining him in a better place. RIP lads, you will never be forgotten. X

By Deborah Mitchell. Posted December 14 2008 at 10:00 PM.

Mr Brown says he wanted to go to Afghan to thank the troops, stupid man cant thank the soliders who have lost their lives. This country is already on its knees cause of this goverment so its about time you made the right decision and brought all of our troops home. How many more do we need to lose before they pull the troops out.

By Lisa . Posted December 14 2008 at 9:35 PM.

God bless our dear lost marines, fighting for our country and keeping us safe. I thankyou and my sympathy goes out to your families. Timo

By Timo. Posted December 14 2008 at 9:01 PM.

To Charlene, Natalie, Joanne and Johns dad. Like everyone else I listened with Horror and outrage to the news yesterday.

My first reaction was lets get our boys out of there before anyone else has to suffer the agony you are now sadly enduring.

Then I thought, those brave men died doing the job they loved. They are representatives of the decent people of this country, standing up, on our behalf to the threat these monsters pose to our country.

My words can mean nothing to you, but they are heart felt and I know they represent the thoughts of all decent minded people in our country.

I know that your lives will never be the same again, but please be strong, and very very proud. There is so much love for you.

god bless you all.

Brian

By brian. Posted December 14 2008 at 2:24 PM.

i cant begin to imagine what the family and friends of those soldiers are going through. i just hope and pray that this ends soon. i dont agree with the war but at the end of the day nothing we say or do will stop it. the best we can do is pray it ends soon. my young cousin s only 16yrs old and has his army interview on monday. i cant stop him from joining and its a terrible thought that his young life could be ended. i think the soldiers have to be the braves most courageous people in this f++ked up world. my thoughts and prayers are with them and their families.

By sam. Posted December 14 2008 at 1:27 PM.

We must bring Our Boys home now. It is obvious we cannot defeat the Taliban. If they want to commit suicide let them do it but don't take our boys with you. As for Gordon Brown as said before a good photo shoot for him but then again he is trying to "save the World" isn't he.

By Judi. Posted December 14 2008 at 12:14 PM.

The UK is a disgrace. This country has no future. There are too many low-lives here. Education is a comple farce and there are no opportunities. Too many people off the boat aswell.

By Neil. Posted December 14 2008 at 12:35 PM.

Just another photo opportunity for Brown.
He needs it.

By Fred. Posted December 14 2008 at 11:29 AM.

Scandalous !
Brown sends these your servicemen to be cannon fodder. For what ?
De we really want anything to do with Afghanistan, Iraq or these other places?
Let's try and be like Switzerland. Keep our nose out and have not political opinions about others, and become British.
Just British.

By Fred. Posted December 14 2008 at 11:27 AM.

Sincere condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives, and the wounded, from all members of the Derby Branch of the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regimental Association.

By Derby Branch WFRA. Posted December 14 2008 at 10:32 AM.

Britain is wasting the lives of young soldiers in a pointless war in Afghanistan. If there is such a problem in the region where are the brave troops from Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries? we should get out of Afghanistan now before yet more lives are lost for no good reason except the vanity of politicians.

By Bethany Williams. Posted December 14 2008 at 10:20 AM.

R.I.P ALL OUR HEROS MY FAMILYS PRAYERS AND SYMPATHYS ARE WITH YOUR FAMILIES AT THIS HARD TIME AND WITH OUR MEN/WOMEN STILL OUT THERE FIGHTING.

By bex. Posted December 14 2008 at 7:33 AM.

I served with Marc "Birchy" Birch between 2000 and 2002 when we were both in 4 Troop, Lima Company, 42 Commando. Whether exercising together (he always beat me when running up Killer Hill) or Operating alongside each other in West Africa, he always had a huge smile on his face, and an infectious sense of humour which made the hardships you were doing seem much easier.
I wish I had kept in touch with you Birchy, is too late now.
Rest in Peace Royal X

By Matt M. Posted December 14 2008 at 2:57 AM.

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