Remembering the Fallen: on this day in 2004, Sapper Robert Thomson of 35 Engineer Regiment was killed in a tragic accident in Iraq. The details of the accident can be found in this article: https://stv.tv/news/scotland/164203-trench-death-soldiers-family-awarded-43000/

Sapper Thomson had joined the regiment just over a year earlier and this was his second deployment. He was a skilled plumber and much in demand, providing support to Coalition Force Camps.

His Commanding Officer said: “Known to all as Rab, he was a popular member of the Armoured Troop of the Squadron. A ready wit and a natural enthusiast, he made friends easily and was always good for morale. Although not Armoured trained, he would always get stuck-in to help out on the tank park, a characteristic highly valued in any soldier. He would have been a strong contender for this year’s cadre, designed to train the best Sappers for promotion to Lance Corporal. He was very fit, and had recently attempted selection for Airborne Forces, but an injury during training prevented him from completing the course. His sudden death in a tragic accident at Basrah Palace has shocked the whole Regiment and left many mourning the loss of a close friend and brother-in-arms.”

Robert, from Bathgate, West Lothian, was 22 years old.