Thursday, June 21, 2007
Major Paul Harding 4th Battalion The Rifles killed in Iraq!
Read this One of our best,killed in action doing what he loved.
"4 RIFLES lost a deeply respected and loved Company Commander; The RIFLES lost one of its most senior, long-serving and admired Riflemen, and the country lost a veteran soldier of deep personal integrity, professional excellence, wisdom, experience and simple decency"
"It may seem strange to talk of love between soldiers, but the very best officers and soldiers inspire extraordinary love, devotion and loyalty in their fellow men. Paul was such a man. A Rifleman with a lifetime of service in The Royal Green Jackets, and most recently The Rifles, he had, over the course of 30 years, risen from the rank of Rifleman, through Regimental Sergeant Major to his present rank of Major and with it his appointment as Officer Commanding Fire Support Company"
"The experience he gained over those 30 years meant that he had done the job of every man under his command from Rifleman up to Company Sergeant Major and had done it better than any of them. He knew all the tricks that Riflemen pull, had endured the same hardships and danger, in younger days had got up to the same mischief, and had shared in countless moments of success and glory – large and small"
"And so he knew and understood the Riflemen, and through them the Regiment, better than any man alive. And he loved them. Not blindly, for he better than anyone understood their individual frailties and weaknesses and their strengths. But he loved them as a father, encouraging, chastising, leading by example and taking immense pride in their achievements. The Riflemen loved him back with fierce loyalty and devotion"
"They came to see that beneath his gruff manner and bristly gunfighter moustache (so typical of his generation of soldiers forged in the tough school of Northern Ireland in the 70s and 80s), lay a man with wisdom, judgement and compassion; a consummate professional; a tough, quick-thinking and unflappable veteran who they knew they could trust with their lives"
"Paul casts a very long shadow over The RIFLES, and its proud predecessor, The Royal Green Jackets. Through 30 years of service his influence and example has rubbed off on all who served with him and knew him. His legacy has grown through these small, daily personal interactions, and taken over the length of his service, the ripple effect of his influence has made the Battalion and the Regiment what it is today – he is literally one of the fathers of the Regiment"
"An outstanding sportsman, representing the Army at squash, triathlon, swimming, athletics, football, basketball and water polo, he has inspired generations of young Riflemen to extend their horizons and to take pleasure in a sporting life as much as their social and professional lives. His dedication and simple direct, uncompromising approach to professional standards laid down a challenge to us all"
"It matters less that most of us failed to match him; the key is that he inspired us to try and never to stop trying. It is this constant desire for self-improvement that is one of the most important and enduring aspects of his legacy. And he was a decent man. Family life mattered to him more than anything and I have seldom seen a happier, more balanced and close knit family than his own"
"His boys loved and idolised him, learned from his example and in turn made him immensely proud with their successes.
Paula's kindness, warmth, love and generosity of spirit has buoyed us all in the approach to this tour and sustained us out here; I pray we can be equally strong and supportive for her in our turn"
"Paul had been in Basra for just under a month before he was killed. We had to reorganise the Battalion and this involved dispersing his Platoons with their specialist skills, among the Rifle Companies. Initially I wanted Paul by my side in the Headquarters to draw on his experience and ability, but it became apparent that his skills would be best used at the PJCC – a small and very isolated outpost co-located with the Iraqi Security Forces in the centre of Basra"
"Paul was appointed as the Chief of Staff with responsibility for security, resupply, liaison and the overall daily running of the organisation. Above all he brought a depth of experience in Infantry combat that was simply unmatched, and with that he inspired confidence, calmness and determination in all around him. He had been quite inspirational and tireless for that first month"
"On one of his first days there, the PJCC was attacked by over 200 armed militia men intent on overrunning the building. Under his calm and inspiring leadership the small party there from 1 RHA and other Brigade units, augmented by a Platoon from 4 RIFLES, fought off attacks for 4 hours expending over 9000 rounds of ammunition"
"Undaunted, he ensured that the organisation continued to function unchecked and made constant improvements to security, to the complex and dangerous business of resupply and in improving the quality of life and welfare facilities. He was, in the words of the Commanding Officer at the PJCC, quite simply irreplaceable"
"Always one to lead by example, he constantly exposed himself to danger from mortars and snipers, encouraging and leading his men and so it was no surprise when I learned that he had placed himself in the front sangar – the most dangerous and exposed spot – in order to help secure the route in for a resupply convoy from the Palace last night. It was typical of him – he would never ask a Riflemen to do something he wouldn't do himself and wanting to minimise the risk to his men, placed himself in danger. Tragically the sangar he occupied was struck with a direct hit and Paul died instantly"
"The Battalion has been hit very hard by Paul's death; the collective sense of grief is tangible, and we have learned over the past few weeks that grief has a time and a place. But we have also learned that honouring our dead requires us to move beyond grief. Paul embodied a life based on service to others, duty and self-sacrifice – the life of a Soldier. He chose this life and lived it with a passion; he died prematurely, but he died doing what he loved"
"We have lost a close friend, an outstanding leader, an exemplary Rifleman and a remarkable and decent man. But we are not bowed or beaten by his loss. Instead we stand a little taller today than yesterday. The resilience, determination, professionalism, decency and compassion, pride, good humour and fighting spirit that I see in the eyes of this Battalion, despite the losses we have suffered – these things are Paul's legacy."
Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Sanders OBE, Commanding Officer, 4th Battalion The RIFLES
Comments:
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Served with Paul in the 2nd Greenjackets starting in Minden West Germany as it was then.We were in 3 Plt A company at the time and even in those days Paul was a very well respected junior NCO.I was extremely shocked to see his picture in the press.THE ROYAL GREEN JACKETS and now The Rifles has lost A _REAL_ soldiers soldier. He was a good fiend.
# posted by 
: 1:40 PM
: 1:40 PM
What a man! I was ashamed of myself, and those swine in Westminster, just reading it.
One of our best indeed.
mongoose
One of our best indeed.
mongoose
# posted by : 12:14 AM
: 12:14 AM
I knew Paul very well, both spending time in the Cpl's and Sgt's Mess. I was devastated to see he had died, I'm gutted for his family. He was a great soldier, fine NCO and ultimately Officer. Rest in Peace. Tommo.
# posted by : 7:21 PM
: 7:21 PM
Served as a Rfn with Paul when he was a Cpl, in 3plt A coy 2RGJ Minden, also conscripted one night, i believe they call it volunteering, to serve his drinks at the Sgt,s mess ball where he met his wife to be.... a fine & respected man whatever his rank, a total professional in all he did, tho his choice of civvy shirts were sometimes questionable lol. The Regiment & the army has lost a great soldier & leader of men..Respect to you Paul.. Mike M
# posted by : 1:41 AM
: 1:41 AM
so sad, real loss. a really ace soldier and leader. could have bust me once but gave me a second chance. rare thing in the old days. never forgot that. proud to have known him. ace platoon sargent. David ogle.
Major Harding was my SGT in Minden Platoon, JS COY, Winchester in 1987. Even then i was in awe of this man, his tough fairness, his humour, his kindness, his way of pushing me to excel and beastings that i quite honestly never deserved!!!. Since i left the RGJs, i still held fond memories, often hearing of his rise through the ranks. My first conversation with him was when he presented me at 16 years old, fresh from school to my section Cpl Crucifix. Well the name left me cold, but both my Cpl & Sgt inspired me. My time in civvies good and bad, has always seen me think of what he stood for and what a ledgend he was, even back in 1987. We all have regrets, and mine was leaving the RGJs so early, but ive always lead my life and followed my ambitions in the way that Major Harding instilled in me. A rifle Man, a Gent and a Role Modle.
As i sat on the tube in London reading the paper, i turned the page, saw his Face on a Double Spread, I knew!
Sadley Missed, Never forgotten, a Ledgend.
Swift and Bold.
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As i sat on the tube in London reading the paper, i turned the page, saw his Face on a Double Spread, I knew!
Sadley Missed, Never forgotten, a Ledgend.
Swift and Bold.
# posted by : 2:01 AM
: 2:01 AM << Home
