SEAN DOLANBritish soldier Sean Dolan, who died on 30 June, 2007, aged 40, was killed in action whilst serving in southern Afghanistan.
Captain Dolan ,of 1st Battalion, The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment, was killed after his battalion was involved in clashes with the Taliban. He was the 62nd British soldier to be killed in Afghanistan since 2001.
He was also the third member of the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment to die in Afghanistan during June 2007.
At 0900 hours, local time, in an operation to destroy a damaged vehicle, Cpt Dolan, who was acting as a liaison officer, was wounded following an attack by Taliban forces.
Cpt Dolan, who was born in 1966, joined the Army in 1985 and had served in several theatres of war, including Bosnia. As a platoon sergeant he was awarded a Mention in Dispatches for his work in Northern Ireland in 1994.
Friends and colleagues had watched as he became a Late Entry officer and set off to serve his country in Afghanistan. He became known as ‘Dollar’ and was well liked within his battalion.
An avid Wolverhampton Wanderers fan,he had roots in the West Midlands and was described as a “complete man and an unsurpassed military talent”, by his commanding officer. He had recently received a Meritorious Service Medal, handed out to gifted soldiers with a strong service background.
At the time of his death he had been working alongside local army and U.S task force troops. Following the attack, he was taken to a military hospital base where he died from his injuries.
A tribute ceremony for Cpt Dolan, who had been in the armed forces for many years, has since been held in the East Midlands.
Chairman of the Derby branch of the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regimental Association, Alan Derbyshire, said: "The death of Captain Dolan has been particularly poignant because it shows anyone at any level can be affected in war."
Corporal Nigel Cope, who worked alongside Cpt Dolan in Bosnia, said: “Captain Dolan could be dogmatic, doing something tomorrow was never good enough - it had to be done today. He didn't do this to mess us around, he did it because he was a professional.”
Lieutenant Colonel Richard Westley MC, commanding officer 1st Battalion, The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment, said: “This is simply the biggest blow that I have suffered in 23 years' service and I know that all ranks of 1st Battalion The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment , and all that knew Sean, will be feeling the same.
“As my Regimental Sergeant Major he was invaluable and a source of support and advice; as my Regimental Career Management Officer he was wise, committed and innovative; as my friend he was irreplaceable.”
Neil Cresswell, a Regimental Sergeant Major, of 1st Battalion, The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment, also paid tribute and said: “It is hard to express in a few short words the immense loss that will be felt by the Battalion and myself at the loss of a great soldier, mentor and friend.”
Defence Secretary Des Browne added: “It is obvious his dedication to the task at hand and his commitment to developing the younger soldiers around him were second to none. He died trying to improve the lives of the people of Afghanistan and his sacrifice will not be forgotten.”
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