‘Selfless’ British soldier & dad-of-one, 35, who trained Ukrainian troops dies during nighttime military exercise

A BRITISH worker grooming Ukrainian forces to combat against Russia has been killed successful a calamity connected a subject exercise.

Special operations adept Corporal Chris Gill, 35, died connected a night-time workout with his Ranger Regiment connected the Brecon Beacons mountains connected October 16.

Police are investigating the calamity on with wellness and information officials astatine the distant basal successful Powys, Wales, utilized for subject grooming including SAS units and firing with unrecorded ammunition.

Military officials are not revealing precisely however helium died astatine the Cwrt-y-Gollen grooming basal nor if Ukrainian forces were progressive successful the exercise.

His commanding serviceman described him arsenic "a singular Army Special Operations soldier" who had served successful Afghanistan earlier volunteering to bid Ukrainian soldiers.

The Army confirmed the corporal - known arsenic "Gilly" - died successful a "non-operational incident" with the 4th Battalion, The Ranger Regiment astatine the Brecon grooming grounds.

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed it is investigating the decease "during a subject workout successful the Crickhowell country of Powys".

A spokesperson said: "Police were notified astatine conscionable aft 1am connected Wednesday, October 16 2024, and a associated probe is underway supported by the Health and Safety Executive.

"Our thoughts are with Cpl Gill’s family, who are being supported by a household liaison officer."

His battalion of 250 soldiers is based astatine Normandy Barracks successful Aldershot arsenic an Army Special Operations Brigade.

Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Charles Bairsto said: "Cpl Chris “Gilly” Gill was a singular Army Special Operations soldier.

"A beardown and earthy leader, helium genuinely lived the Ranger ethos.

"Dedicated to his family, Cpl Gill’s professionalism and committedness to work inspired those astir him and near him held successful the highest regard.

"He excelled passim his thirteen years’ service. A chosen antheral who volition beryllium sorely missed."

Married begetter Cpl Gill joined the service successful 2011.

Lt Col Bairsto said: "From the commencement his initiative, soldiering accomplishment and honorable mode highlighted him arsenic a aboriginal leader.

"He flourished deploying to Helmand Province connected Operation Herrick 18, bravely contributing to the information of the section colonisation connected a tough, hard-fought tour.

"Promptly selected to be the Section Commanders’ Battle Course, helium excelled successful honing his skills successful an arduous and taxing environment, processing his enactment nether pressure.

"His endowment rapidly led to promotion to Corporal.

"He deployed soon aft to Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan, wherever starring a small, close-knit team, helium delivered grooming to specializer partners.

"His professionalism again earmarked him for further commitments going connected to spouse section forces successful Belize, the US, Kenya and Morocco.

"Throughout, his assured approach, cognition and humour won the respect and loyalty of partnered forces, making him a remarkably palmy instructor.

"His relentless, speedy wit became cardinal to the morale of the teams helium led. In the look of adversity, helium could ever beryllium relied upon to get everyone chuckling nary substance the situation."

Cpl Gill volunteered for Army Special Operations and passed to articulation The Ranger Regiment wherever "his talents and dedication made an tremendous difference."

Lt Col Bairsto said said: "Training and operating overseas, his publication to persistent operations overseas acceptable important foundations for the improvement of the Battalion’s capabilities and culture.

"Selfless and dedicated, Cpl Gill was speedy to unpaid to bid Ukrainian soldiers successful the UK, testament to his committedness to work and preservation of our freedoms."

His commanding serviceman said: "The decease of Cpl Gill is sorely felt. His household person mislaid a loving and doting father, husband, and son.

"His friends and chap Rangers volition miss a much-loved and respected leader.

"The Army has mislaid a professional, capable, and loyal Special Operations soldier, whose publication to the squad made it overmuch stronger than the sum of its parts; helium made a existent interaction passim his distinguished career.

"Our thoughts are with his household astatine this incredibly hard time."
An inquest is owed to beryllium opened by the South Wales coroner's bureau successful Pontypridd adjacent week."