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Graven Hill Remembers

Captain Dan Read

Captain Dan Read

Street: Read Place
Rank: Captain
Full Name: Daniel Read
Born: December 1978, Kent
Age: 31
Date of Death: 11 January 2010
Location: Musa Qala area, northern Helmand Province, Afghanistan
Operation: Operation HERRICK 11
Unit: Royal Logistic Corps - 821 EOD Squadron, 11 EOD Regiment
Role: High Threat Improvised Explosive Device (IED) Disposal Operator
Honours: Queen’s Commendation for Bravery (posthumous)

About Captain Read

Section titled “About Captain Read”

Captain Dan Read was killed on 11 January 2010 in the Musa Qala area of northern Helmand Province, Afghanistan, while attempting to defuse an improvised explosive device (IED). He was posthumously awarded the Queen’s Commendation for Bravery in recognition of his courage and service.

Full Biography

Section titled “Full Biography”

Captain Dan Read deployed on Operation HERRICK 11 as a High Threat Improvised Explosive Device (IED) Disposal Operator. He was born in Kent in December 1978 and was 31 years old when he was tragically killed in an IED blast whilst he was on task supporting Battle Group (North West).

Having completed his GCSEs at Rainham Mark Grammar School, Captain Read joined the Corps of Royal Engineers in 1996 as a Sapper. He was posted to 33 Engineer Regiment (EOD) and got his first taste of EOD operations on Op FINGAL in 2002 when he deployed as a Search Team Second-in-Command. From this point on, Captain Read was “hooked” on EOD and knew the only job for him was that of an Ammunition Technical Officer or “ATO.”

When he returned from the tour, Captain Read applied for a commission in the Royal Logistic Corps; he was successful, and he completed his course at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in December 2004. Captain Read was commissioned into the Royal Logistic Corps (RLC) and was posted to 23 Pioneer Regiment RLC as a Troop Commander in April 2005. Typically, he could not sit still, and his zest and enthusiasm inspired him to complete the All Arms Commando Course and a tour of Afghanistan in 2006. Captain Read’s passion for EOD operations had not deteriorated, and at the first opportunity, he volunteered for the Ammunition Technical Officers’ Course, which he completed in May 2008 and was posted to 821 EOD Squadron, 11 EOD Regiment RLC. In August 2009, he passed the high threat operator course and immediately began the pre-deployment training for Op HERRICK 11.

Captain Read was an experienced operator. He attended 21 tasks in Afghanistan and had already dealt with 32 IEDs. Captain Read was passionate about his role as a High Threat Improvised Explosive Device Disposal Operator, always displaying a boundless enthusiasm and energy for the tasks he undertook.

Further Reading & External Links

Section titled “Further Reading & External Links”

“For your tomorrow, we gave our today.”