Skip to content
Graven Hill Remembers

Corporal Andrew Steven Roberts

Corporal Andrew Steven Roberts

Street: Roberts Drive
Rank: Corporal
Full Name: Andrew Steven Roberts
Nickname: “Ginge”
Born: 12 April 1980, Middlesbrough
Age: 32
Date of Death: 4 May 2012
Location: Forward Operating Base Ouellette, Nahr-e-Saraj district, Helmand Province, Afghanistan
Operation: Operation HERRICK 16
Unit: 23 Pioneer Regiment, The Royal Logistic Corps
Role: Section Commander - Advanced Search Team Commander
Service History: Joined 1998; Operations in Bosnia, Iraq, and Afghanistan (2 tours)

About Corporal Roberts

Section titled “About Corporal Roberts”

Corporal Andrew Steven Roberts, affectionately known as “Ginge,” was killed on 4 May 2012 alongside Private Ratu Manasa Silibaravi in an indirect fire attack on Forward Operating Base Ouellette in Helmand Province. He was a Section Commander leading an Advanced Search Team responsible for detecting IEDs in high-risk areas.

Full Biography

Section titled “Full Biography”

Corporal Andrew Steven Roberts (Ginge) was a Section Commander in 23 Pioneer Regiment, The Royal Logistic Corps. He deployed to Afghanistan on Operation HERRICK 16 in March 2012 to command an Advanced Search Team, in the Operations Squadron of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Search Task Force. As an Advanced Search Team Commander, ‘Ginge’ was responsible for leading his men in order to detect Improvised Explosive Devices in high-risk areas. On 18 April 2012, Corporal Roberts deployed in support of the 1st Battalion, The Royal Welsh to the Nahr-e-Saraj district of Helmand province.

Whilst there, Corporal Roberts’ team conducted several search operations to clear irrigation ditches and enhance the security of operating bases as well as deploying to provide direct Counter Improvised Explosive Device support to British patrols. In leading his team in this role, Corporal Roberts not only facilitated freedom of movement for International Security Assistance Forces and Afghan National Security Forces, but also undoubtedly saved the lives of both Afghans and International personnel.

Corporal Roberts was 32 years old and was born in Middlesbrough. He joined the Army in 1998 and had been serving as a Section Commander in 23 Pioneer Regiment, The Royal Logistic Corps based in Bicester, Oxfordshire since 2008. He had served on operations in Bosnia and Iraq and this was his second tour of Afghanistan.

Personal Life

Section titled “Personal Life”

Corporal Roberts was a highly regarded physical training instructor and an accomplished sportsman, representing his regiment in boxing, football, and cross-country events. He was a ‘larger than life’ character and extremely well known in the Regiment. His loss will cast a long shadow.

He is survived by his children Jessica (6), Kyle (5), and Kayla (3), and their mother Lindsey; his girlfriend Paula Ewers and her son Josh; his parents Pauline and Stephen; and his siblings Tracey, Mark, Darren, Michael, and Emma.

A road is named after Corporal Roberts in his hometown of Middlesbrough.

Further Reading & External Links

Section titled “Further Reading & External Links”

“For your tomorrow, we gave our today.”