Post by Eric Roper on Jun 17, 2010 14:10:53 GMT 1
CORPORAL TANIELA TOLEVU ROGOIRUWAI
1ST BATTALION THE DUKE OF LANCASTER’S REGIMENT
Corporal Taniela Tolevu Rogoiruwai was killed in action as a resuilt of small arms fire during a contact with enemy insurgents in the Nad-e Ali District of Helmand Province, Afghanistan on Tuesday 15th June.
Corporal Taniela Tolevu Rogoiruwai, known to all as 'Rocco', was born in Nausori, in Fiji, on 23rd January 1978. He joined the Army in July 2000, initially serving with the 1st Battalion, The King's Own Royal Border Regiment before its amalgamation on 1st July 2006. Throughout his time in the Army he served with distinction, on numerous operations including Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan. He was a highly experienced and dedicated Junior Non Commissioned Officer - one who excelled when in command.
He had a tough yet compassionate style and was destined to do well in an environment that he loved. Just before deploying to Afghanistan, he attended and achieved a strong pass on the Platoon Sergeant's Battle Course and he was on course to promote to Sergeant in the near future Corporal Rogoiruwai relished being in the Army. He possessed loyalty 'in spades' and he had an absolute dedication to the Regiment, to the Battalion, to his Company and to the men he served with. He was quietly confident - a man who did not speak unless he had something important to say. He had a ready smile, a wonderful sense of humour and a grin that reached from one side of his face to other. He was well known and respected across the Battalion as a soldier and as a friend. He was a strong family man, proud of his heritage and fiercely protective of his wife Olivia and his young son, Maciu. He loved them dearly. He was also an accomplished and talented sportsman, representing British Army Cyprus at his beloved rugby and the Battalion on numerous occasions at Bobsleigh.
Corporal Rogoiruwai deployed to Afghanistan as a Section Commander with 1 Platoon, Anzio Company, 1st Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment in March 2010. The soldiers of Anzio Company have undoubtedly improved the lives of hundreds of local Afghans during their 3 months in Nad-e Ali by conducting frequent joint security and reassurance patrols with their Afghan National Army colleagues. Corporal Rogoiruwai was killed in action during a fire-fight with insurgent forces on 15 June 2010 whilst carrying out a patrol to improve security and increase the freedom of movement for local people in Northern Nad-e Ali, Helmand. Province.
Lieutenant Colonel Frazer Lawrence OBE, Commanding Officer 1st Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment said:
I am greatly saddened by the death of Corporal 'Rocco' Rogoiruwai. He was an outstanding soldier and a very talented Junior Non Commissioned Officer - tough and stoic, but with an infectious smile and a mischievous sense of humour. His performance in Afghanistan was outstanding. He led from the front, set the best of examples for others to follow and he put everyone before himself. He loved the Army, his Regiment and his fellow soldiers. But, most of all he loved his wife and his young son.
Rocco was one of life's leaders - a natural commander - who gave confidence to those around him. He was decent, honest and loyal - a real character. A man who saw black and white, who knew right from wrong and who possessed selfless commitment. We mourn the loss of Corporal Rocco and we offer our deepest condolences to Olivia and to all of Rocco's family - our thoughts are with them
1ST BATTALION THE DUKE OF LANCASTER’S REGIMENT
Corporal Taniela Tolevu Rogoiruwai was killed in action as a resuilt of small arms fire during a contact with enemy insurgents in the Nad-e Ali District of Helmand Province, Afghanistan on Tuesday 15th June.
Corporal Taniela Tolevu Rogoiruwai, known to all as 'Rocco', was born in Nausori, in Fiji, on 23rd January 1978. He joined the Army in July 2000, initially serving with the 1st Battalion, The King's Own Royal Border Regiment before its amalgamation on 1st July 2006. Throughout his time in the Army he served with distinction, on numerous operations including Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan. He was a highly experienced and dedicated Junior Non Commissioned Officer - one who excelled when in command.
He had a tough yet compassionate style and was destined to do well in an environment that he loved. Just before deploying to Afghanistan, he attended and achieved a strong pass on the Platoon Sergeant's Battle Course and he was on course to promote to Sergeant in the near future Corporal Rogoiruwai relished being in the Army. He possessed loyalty 'in spades' and he had an absolute dedication to the Regiment, to the Battalion, to his Company and to the men he served with. He was quietly confident - a man who did not speak unless he had something important to say. He had a ready smile, a wonderful sense of humour and a grin that reached from one side of his face to other. He was well known and respected across the Battalion as a soldier and as a friend. He was a strong family man, proud of his heritage and fiercely protective of his wife Olivia and his young son, Maciu. He loved them dearly. He was also an accomplished and talented sportsman, representing British Army Cyprus at his beloved rugby and the Battalion on numerous occasions at Bobsleigh.
Corporal Rogoiruwai deployed to Afghanistan as a Section Commander with 1 Platoon, Anzio Company, 1st Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment in March 2010. The soldiers of Anzio Company have undoubtedly improved the lives of hundreds of local Afghans during their 3 months in Nad-e Ali by conducting frequent joint security and reassurance patrols with their Afghan National Army colleagues. Corporal Rogoiruwai was killed in action during a fire-fight with insurgent forces on 15 June 2010 whilst carrying out a patrol to improve security and increase the freedom of movement for local people in Northern Nad-e Ali, Helmand. Province.
Lieutenant Colonel Frazer Lawrence OBE, Commanding Officer 1st Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment said:
I am greatly saddened by the death of Corporal 'Rocco' Rogoiruwai. He was an outstanding soldier and a very talented Junior Non Commissioned Officer - tough and stoic, but with an infectious smile and a mischievous sense of humour. His performance in Afghanistan was outstanding. He led from the front, set the best of examples for others to follow and he put everyone before himself. He loved the Army, his Regiment and his fellow soldiers. But, most of all he loved his wife and his young son.
Rocco was one of life's leaders - a natural commander - who gave confidence to those around him. He was decent, honest and loyal - a real character. A man who saw black and white, who knew right from wrong and who possessed selfless commitment. We mourn the loss of Corporal Rocco and we offer our deepest condolences to Olivia and to all of Rocco's family - our thoughts are with them