Brit sergeant shot dead in live fire training exercise – Army launch investigation

A sergeant from the Welsh Guards was shot dead during a live fire exercise in a tragic accident.

He was wounded at the Castlemartin Training Area in Pembrokeshire, Wales, and was pronounced dead on Thursday, March 4.

The soldier was due to be deployed to Iraq, and was part of the Welsh Guards’ motor transport platoon.

He was awarded a Long Service and Good Conduct medal by Prince Charles, the regiment’s Colonel in Chief, in 2019, The Sun reports.

His dad posted on Facebook: “At 3.45 this morning I received a phone call that will forever change my life.

“My eldest son…was in a fatal accident in the army, the job he loved.

“Sleep tight and rest in peace son. I’m so proud of you. Goodnight and God bless. Love you’re heartbroken dad, xxx.”

Another friend called him a “true hero” and an “awesome soldier”.

Soldiers in the Welsh Guards act as “guardians of the royal palaces” and are deployed on operations across the world.

Made up of Light Role Infantry, the group is used as a “mobile and flexible attack force”.

An Army spokesman confirmed: “It is with great sadness we can confirm the death of a soldier on the 4th of March.

“Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this tragic time.

“The circumstances surrounding this death are bieng investigated and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.”

Last month, Royal Marines stormed a 2.6-tonne drug haul with a street value of more than £11million.

During the ten-hour operation, British commandos seized a suspect ship that was based in the Arabian Sea.

The vessel was found to be carrying heroin, hashish and crystal methamphetamine.

Much of the money earned from the drugs cache is believed to have links to terrorism across the Middle East and the rest of Asia, The Daily Mirror reported.

Troops on board Royal Navy warship HMS Montrose were on a counter-narcotics patrol when crew spotted the drug-smuggling ship.

Armed Forces minister James Heappey said: “The Royal Navy and Royal Marines have once again proven their professionalism and operational capability in seizing illicit substances in transit.

“The Armed Forces are committed to tackling organised crime around the world. The Royal Navy works with our allies in the Coalition Task Force to protect our people and our interests.

“As a result of these operations, Britain’s streets are safer and a possible source of terrorist financing has been choked off.”