Tributes were paid today to a 51-year-old RAF volunteer who is thought to be oldest British serviceman to have been killed in Afghanistan or Iraq.
Senior Aircraftman Gary Thompson, a father-of-five who worked as a managing director in Nottingham, was killed along with Senior Aircraftman Graham Livingstone when their patrol vehicle hit an explosive device on a road close to Kandahar Airfield on Sunday. He is the fifth volunteer or reservist to be killed in Afghanistan since the deployment of British forces in 2001.
He leaves behind his wife Jacqui and their five daughters, Laurie, 24, Aimee, 22, Jordan, 20, Jade, 17 and Kelly, 16, who today spoke of their unending love for a man who they said was "more than our hero."
"A devoted husband, father, son and brother who touched the lives of everyone who knew him; Gary was more than our hero, he was the rock and foundation of our family. Words cannot express how much he was loved and how proud of him we are. Gary, you have had our hearts from the beginning and now they are yours forever."
The senior aircraftman was deployed to Kandahar, southern Afghanistan, in February after three years in the Nottinghamshire Squadron of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force. The civilian corps, which can be called into full-time service in times of conflict, is usually numbers around 2,920 but recruitment difficulties in recent years have lead to its strength dwindling.
Mr Thompson had served as a full member of the RAF as a young man, joining in 1973 at the age of 17. After four years serving as a Supplier, he left the service to pursue a civilian career and became managing director at Sherwood Ducting Ltd.
Mr Livingstone, 23, from Strathclyde, Scotland, had served a Royal Marine for a short period in 2003 before joining the RAF in October 2004. He leaves behind a young son, Kyle.
Today, fellow servicemen said the pair would be "sorely missed."
Fellow volunteers spoke of Mr Thompson's compassion, humour, energy and dedication to his family. They fondly recounted how during training the avid Manchester United supporter had become known as "Gary Gortex", due to his insistence on wearing waterproofs on the ranges, even during dry weather.
In a statement, Senior Aircraftman Jim Murphy, Corporal Errol Robinson and Corporal Sean Langston-Jones said:
"He was always talking about his family and how much he missed them. He had such a huge circle of family and friends that he became the envy of the flight by the amount of e-blueys and parcels that he received, but deep down we didn't mind as he was like a father figure to us all."
His commanding officer, Squadron Leader Richard Langley, commended his professionalism and pride in his military service.
"Senior Aircraftman Gary Thompson was a reservist serving with 504 Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force, he had trained with 3 Squadron Royal Air Force Regiment throughout 2007, and had become a Mortarman.
"He was the consummate professional soldier and airman, who took immense pride in his military service in addition to his civilian job as manager of Sherwood Ducting Ltd. Upon joining 3 Squadron RAF Regiment on mobilisation, Gary was re-named "Tommo". Fitting in immediately, his skills and humour were such that all held him in the highest regard.
""Tommo" was not one to seek the attention, but was the voice of calm and reason who continuously supported the Squadron's less experienced gunners. He was immensely proud to serve with the Squadron, as we were to serve alongside him, and he will be sorely missed by all."
Ten volunteers or reservists have lost their lives in Afghanistan and Iraq since 2001 and 2003 respectively. Five members of the Territorial Army have died in Iraq, while in Afghanistan, three TA members and 2 members of the Royal Auxiliary Airforce have been killed.
