Midlands mourns two soldiers killed in Afghanistan
Jul 13 2009 by Edward Chadwick, Birmingham Mail
Rifleman Joseph Murphy
“He was fiercely proud of his section and his platoon, a passionate Villa fan and the joker of the company.
“It is the mark of the man that he was selected to bear the responsibility of being one of the platoon’s three machine gunners despite his relative inexperience.
“Rifleman Murphy was carrying his close friend and battle-buddy, Rifleman Simpson, to safety after he had been wounded in the first explosion when a second device initiated and killed them both instantly.
“Rifleman Murphy gave his life while trying to save that of his fellow Rifleman.
“The thoughts and prayers of all in C Company are with him and his family. Rifleman Murphy, We will never forget your smile.”
Other colleagues described his passion for art and said he talked about his family at home in Birmingham.
Comrades said Cpl Horne, known as Jay, would be remembered as a “hero”.
The soldier, who previously served with the 1st Battalion, The Royal Green Jackets, had also been on operations in Iraq - where he was wounded in action - and Kosovo.
Described by Lieutenant Colonel Rob Thomson, Commanding Officer 2 Rifles Battle Group, as a popular “rising star”, Cpl Horne was “tough, compassionate and full of infectious mirth”, he added.
Friday marked one of the darkest days in the conflict as six soldiers lost their lives, taking the death toll to 15 in just 10 days.
