Kilo Company
42 Commando
Royal Marines
British Naval Service
He was deployed with the UK contingent of NATO forces in Afghanistan.
Mne Fairbrother died of wounds sustained in a close-range small arms fire attack while on foot patrol in the area of Old Khorgajat, in southern Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province.
Aged 24, he was from Blackburn, Lancashire. He earned a BSc degree in Geography at Leeds University before joining the Royal Marines in November 2009. Described as an outstanding 'Bootneck', he qualified as a machine gunner and a Team Medic, and was on his first operational deployment. He was a member of an All Arms Search Team and excelled as a metal detector operator, clearing compounds of improvised explosive devices at significant risk in order to ensure the safety of his colleagues. With his laid-back nature, great sense of humour and diligent professionalism, he was admired and respected by all ranks. He also enjoyed physical pursuits including water polo, swimming and skydiving.
Mne Fairbrother leaves behind his mother Julie, sisters Ruth and Emily, girlfriend Melissa Shine, other family and many friends. His family said, "You were always fun loving, caring and lived life to the full... 'Commando Humour' is one of our favourite Marine values to describe you, David. You lived life to the absolute maximum, and we could not help but be so proud of you. You had such a joy for life and so many plans for your future that involved both your career as a Marine, but most importantly, for your friends and family. There are no words to describe the heartbreak. It hurts so much inside to think we won't see you again. We love you so much."
Funeral with full military honours held on October 4, 2011 at Blackburn Cathedral.
*Thanks to Robert Dobbie for the grave photo
Kilo Company
42 Commando
Royal Marines
British Naval Service
He was deployed with the UK contingent of NATO forces in Afghanistan.
Mne Fairbrother died of wounds sustained in a close-range small arms fire attack while on foot patrol in the area of Old Khorgajat, in southern Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province.
Aged 24, he was from Blackburn, Lancashire. He earned a BSc degree in Geography at Leeds University before joining the Royal Marines in November 2009. Described as an outstanding 'Bootneck', he qualified as a machine gunner and a Team Medic, and was on his first operational deployment. He was a member of an All Arms Search Team and excelled as a metal detector operator, clearing compounds of improvised explosive devices at significant risk in order to ensure the safety of his colleagues. With his laid-back nature, great sense of humour and diligent professionalism, he was admired and respected by all ranks. He also enjoyed physical pursuits including water polo, swimming and skydiving.
Mne Fairbrother leaves behind his mother Julie, sisters Ruth and Emily, girlfriend Melissa Shine, other family and many friends. His family said, "You were always fun loving, caring and lived life to the full... 'Commando Humour' is one of our favourite Marine values to describe you, David. You lived life to the absolute maximum, and we could not help but be so proud of you. You had such a joy for life and so many plans for your future that involved both your career as a Marine, but most importantly, for your friends and family. There are no words to describe the heartbreak. It hurts so much inside to think we won't see you again. We love you so much."
Funeral with full military honours held on October 4, 2011 at Blackburn Cathedral.
*Thanks to Robert Dobbie for the grave photo
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