CHRIS DUNSMOREChris 'Dunny' Dunsmore was killed on 19 July, 2007, aged 29. He was a Senior Aircraftsman (SAC) in the Royal Air Force and had been based in Iraq since 26 March, 2007.
He joined the RAF in 2003 as a member of No. 504 (County of Nottingham) Squadron, Royal Auxiliary Air Force based at RAF Cottesmore, Rutland. SAC Dunsmore (along with a second member of 504 Squadron and other Auxiliaries across the country) was called for full-time service.
He was attached to No.1 Squadron Royal Air Force Regiment based at RAF Honington in August 2006. He committed a year of his life to the service of his country.
Based at Basra airport at the time of his death, SAC Dunsmore was tasked to protect military aircraft from the threat of attack from Militia who regularly tried to target the aircraft while at their most vulnerable - during take-off and landing.
During an early afternoon rest break when there were no aircraft movements, SAC Dunsmore had been due to return to patrol when the airport came under rocket attack.
SAC Dunsmore was among the casualties of the attack and was killed instantly alongside SAC Matthew Caulwell and SAC Peter McFerran. He was the sixth member of the Armed forces from Leicestershire to die in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001. SAC Dunsmore was the first auxiliary to be killed in action since WWII.
Chris lived together with his fiancée of seven-and-a-half years in Leicester.
In civilian life SAC Dunsmore worked as a manager within a protective coatings company. He had been at the firm for 10 years and started at the company's plant in Desford, near Leicester, before moving to the UK headquarters in Daventry. He was responsible for setting up new plants for the company across Europe.
A fit and keen serviceman, SAC Dunsmore was a much-loved family man, friend and colleague. He enjoyed outdoor activities particularly snowboarding.
He was immensely proud to serve for 504 Squadron and 1 Squadron.
He had been in the RAF for four years and was described as having "had a passion for everything he did - life, hobbies and friends."
Commanding Officer No 1 Squadron Royal Air Force Regiment, Squadron Leader Jason Sutton, said: ‘The loss of Senior Aircraftsman Dunsmore has been felt very deeply by all the on the Squadron and by other members of 903 Expeditionary Air Wing."
"Our Auxiliary colleagues fill vital roles on the Squadron, and none more so than Chris.
"He was a highly skilled individual, and from the very start of his time with us he put 100% into everything he did and was always ready for any challenge. His joie de vivre was infectious when times were hard."
"Intelligent, determined and a fine comrade and friend, he was as immensely proud to serve with 1 Squadron as we were to serve alongside him. He was one of us and his loss has been deeply felt by us all."
Commanding Officer Jason Sutton added: "To lose any member of our Squadron is a tragic blow to all who knew them, trained with them, laughed with them and fought alongside them. The loss of three such popular and professional men is simply devastating."
Defence Secretary Des Browne also paid tribute to SAC Dunsmore and his two colleagues. He said: "I was deeply saddened by the tragic deaths of RAF Regiment Gunners, Senior Aircraftsman Matthew Caulwell, Senior Aircraftsman Peter McFerran and Senior Aircraftsman Christopher Dunmore."
"They were all exceptional and talented young men whose professionalism and selfless commitment will not be forgotten. My heart felt condolences go out to their partners, families, friends and colleagues in Iraq at this most painful and difficult of times."
www.chrisdunsmore.co .uk
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