BARRY DEMPSEYCorporal Barry Dempsey, a combat medic from the Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland, was killed in Afghanistan on 18 August, 2008.
He was attached to the 1st Battalion the Royal Irish Regiment and had been patrolling in a joint Afghan National Army and UK peacekeeping team which was part of Nato's International Security Assistance Force (Isaf).
They were travelling on foot near Gereshk when he and three other people - one other ISAF soldier, an Afghan National Army soldier and the patrol interpreter - were caught by an exploding mine.
Cpl Dempsey's body and the three casualties were airlifted to the Joint Force Medical Group Facility at Camp Bastion. Cpl Dempsey's death brought the total British military personnel killed in Afghanistan since 2001 to 116.
The 29-year-old was said to have saved numerous lives during his 10 years of military services. He joined the Royal Highland Fusiliers in 1998 and spent the majority of his career as a medic.
He had been promoted to corporal in 2007 and had also recently qualified as a combat medical technician.
His wife Shelly said: "Barry was a devoted husband and father. He has died doing a job he loved. His family and the Army was his life. He will be forever missed by his wife, children and family. He will never be forgotten. He died a hero."
His commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Nick Borton said: "Always calm and professional, he was naturally suited to a medical career, and planned to continue progressing in this area. Barry was a stalwart of the Medical Centre - a hard worker, he always volunteered for any task, and was always at the centre of the team, motivating and encouraging the younger medics.
"Barry Dempsey loved his Regiment, but he was above all a dedicated family man, who devoted most of his spare time to Shelly and the children, Andie and Charlie. He was a private man, who enjoyed spending time with his young children. He had a wry sense of humour, didn't take life too seriously and always had a ready smile for everybody."
His Royal Highland Fusiliers comrade and friend Corporal Stephen Quinn shared memories of him: "I first met Barry when my wife and I moved next door to him and Shelly. Even though he was a diehard Rangers fan and I was a Celtic fan we became good friends and Shelly was a great support to my wife during her pregnancy.
"Barry loved his job in the medical centre and talked of becoming a paramedic when he left the Army.
"He loved to socialise with his friends and had built a makeshift bar in his garage where we would watch the football and have a few beers. Even though our football loyalties were different, we used to watch Old Firm games together and no matter what the outcome, we remained friends, although he was first to rub it in when Celtic were beaten."
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