Afghanistan Trust Supporting our Paras
DONATE ONLINE Much of our work is funded by donations

Keep in Touch
Would you like to receive information about our fundraising and our events? Subscribe

Want to raise money on our behalf?
Would you like to create your own fundraising event? Download our fundraising pack

Find us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter

News

For more information on any of these stories, please contact us.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

The Regiment regret to announce the death in action of Private Martin Bell

The Regiment regret to announce the death in action of Private Martin Bell on 25 January 2011. In addition to Martin’s tragic death there were a further five soldiers injured, three very seriously.

Private Martin George Bell was born on 13 October 1986. He attended the Saits Grammar School in Shipley. However, his home town was Bradford. Before he joined the Army, Private Bell was a Police Community Support Officer.

He completed his basic training on 17 April 2009 and was posted to 1st Battalion The Parachute Regiment. He came to the 2nd Battalion in July 2010, just prior to the Battalion's deployment to Afghanistan.

Private Bell shone in C (Bruneval) Company. He was excellent throughout the Mission Specific Training package and was utterly professional throughout his time in Afghanistan. He was immensely popular and well respected by all ranks.
Private Bell had a bright future ahead of him and had been clearly identified as a rising star.

Private Bell deployed to Afghanistan on 14 October 2010 with C (Bruneval) Company, 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment. He was based in Patrol Base 2 in the Nahr-e-Saraj District of Helmand Province.

On 25 January 2011 he deployed with his Multiple to Spoor Kalay, a small village North of Patrol Base 2. His mission was to interdict insurgent forces along known infiltration routes and prevent them from both attacking the Afghan National Army and intimidating the local population.

At 0825hrs Private Bell was fatally wounded by an Improvised Explosive Device as he moved to assist a comrade injured by a separate device.

He leaves behind his parents Simon and Elaine and his brothers Oliver and Philip.

by Jon Baker



To read more visit http://www.paradata.org.uk/people/martin-bell
Click here to read some of the many eulogies for Pte Martin Bell (2 PARA)