No.1724979, Senior Aircraftsman, Luke SOUTHGATE
Aged 20
Born in Bury St. Edmunds on 10th March 1989 (1st qtr Bury St.Edmunds (7421B)10:2990, son of Keith and Kate SOUTHGATE (née CLARK)
Luke joined the RAF as a Gunner in the RAF Regiment, doing his basic training at RAF Honington. His ability was established by earning the Frank Sylvester Trophy for Top Student in his Trainee Gunners Course. He then volunteered for parachute training and subsequently went to serve with No.11 Squadron, RAF Regiment, qualifying as Direct Fire Weapons Specialist on machine Gun Flight. Detached to D Flight he deployed on his tour of duty in Afghanistan in January 2010. |
Tasked with protecting Kandahar Airfield from attack, he was on patrol when his Land Rover ran over an Improvised Explosive Device. The two airmen with him survived, although one was very seriously injured.
and commemorated at RAF Honington click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |