Catterick Garrison-based soldier killed in Afghanistan

The Catterick Garrison-based soldier, named as 25-year-old Channing Day, from Comber, in Co Down, Northern Ireland, who served with 3 Medical Regiment, was the third servicewoman to lose her life in the conflict.

The soldier played football for the Northern Ireland ladies team.

She was a bubbly and sporty teenager who dreamed of joining the Army as a schoolgirl, a former teacher said.

Strangford College acting principal Paul Maxwell said: “She always said she wanted to join the Army, she was pretty much focused on wanting to join the Army.”

Corporal Day died alongside Corporal David O’Connor from 40 Commando Royal Marines.

The pair were on patrol in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province when they were killed following an exchange of gunfire.

Cpl Day is survived by her parents, Leslie and Rosemary Day, her sisters, Lauren and Laken, and brother Aaron.

Her family said: “Channing was bubbly, sporty, beautiful and lived her life for the Army.

"She has died doing what she lived for and in the life that she loved. She will be remembered by all who knew her as a wonderful girl who never stopped smiling and who had an infectious laugh.

"Channing played football for Northern Ireland as well as ice hockey and also gained her qualification as a ski instructor through the Army.

"She was also the Northern Ireland Gymnastics Pairs Champion. A girl who lived her life to the full without ever giving up on her dreams.

"She was a fabulous daughter, sister, granddaughter, cousin, niece and friend. She will be so sadly missed by all.”

Lieutenant Colonel Phillip de Rouffignac, Commanding Officer, 3 Medical Regiment added: “Corporal Channing Day was a star for the future.

"Although only 25, she had recently been promoted to Corporal, and her current operational experience in Iraq and Afghanistan made her a natural choice for the demanding role she was undertaking in support of 40 Commando Royal Marines.

"Diligent in every respect of her preparation, she had worked hard all the way through the build-up training and led by example in all that she did.

“Hugely popular with her friends in Preston, Catterick and in Afghanistan, Corporal Channing Day made the most of everything and had lived a lifetime in a short time.

"An Army footballer, she was a real team player in every sense. Corporal Day will be sorely missed, and the thoughts of all our Regiment are with her family and friends at this difficult time.”

Colleagues of Cpl Channing have also paid tribute to her.

Private Bethany Gilford RAMC, Combat Medical Technician, Force Support Medical Squadron, 3 Medical Regiment, said: “Meeting you, Channing, has set the bar for any friendship I will ever have; you will always be a true and perfect friend.

"I know that I can vouch for anyone who has ever had the honour of meeting you that you have touched all of our hearts deeply.

"You warmed everyone with your presence and always had a smile which could only be returned warmly. Never forgotten and always in my heart. All my love, Bethany.”

Lance Corporal Grace McLeod RAMC, added: “Channing… words cannot begin to describe how we are feeling right now.

"Our condolences go out to your nearest and dearest; we have lost a dear friend and colleague and what I would call a family member.

"Going to have to find a new gym and cinema buddy now, and I miss our little nights in my room drinking my famous cups of tea!

"We are having a massive party when we get back to the UK but gutted it’s in such devastating circumstances. I am missing you so much right now and I love you to pieces.”

The Taliban claimed the pair died in a “green on blue attack” – where rogue Afghan forces turn on coalition troops.

But the MoD said an Afghan man also killed in the incident - although believed to be a member of the Afghan Uniformed Police - was not wearing uniform at the time and was not on patrol with British troops.

An investigation is ongoing into what initiated the gunfire.

Major Laurence Roche, spokesman for Task Force Helmand, said: “I am extremely sorry to announce the deaths of a Royal Marine from 40 Commando and a soldier from 3 Medical Regiment serving with Task Force Helmand.

“This is dreadful news for all of us serving in Afghanistan. Our sincere condolences go to their families, friends and colleagues at this time of grief.”

3 Medical Regiment, which is based at Catterick, and Somerset-based 40 Commando, are part of 4 Mechanized Brigade, which has its headquarters in the North Yorkshire military town.

Flags at the base were lowered to half mast yesterday as a mark of respect.

The brigade took over responsibility for Task Force Helmand earlier this month.

The deaths take the total number of UK service members to have died since operations in Afghanistan began in October 2001 to 435.