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Dane Elson : Obituary
Published on the ThisIsAnnouncements.co.uk website on 6th July 200928th September 1986 - 5th July 2009
Lance Corporal Dane Elson, 22,died while providing cover for the rest of his platoon while on patrol in Babaji in Helmand Province, Afghanistan on 5 July, 2009.
He was part of a Fire Support Group from 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, attached to the Light Dragoons Battle Group.
He was commanding a team whose mission was to clear the enemy from positions south of Malgir. Having provided fire support for an attack on an enemy-held compound, thegroup began to move off. But as they did an improvised explosive device detonated, killing Lance Corporal Elson instantly.
Lance Corporal Elson was born on 28 September, 1986, in Harare, Zimbabwe and later attended Archway School in Stroud, Gloucestershire, for a short time and it is believed the talented rugby player represented Stroud RFC's junior teams.
Having joined the Army, he completed his training in Guards Training Company, Catterick, in 2004 and joined 1st Battalion Welsh Guards when they were based at RAF St Athan, near Cardiff.
He served in Iraq in 2004-2005, and in Bosnia in 2006-2007. He passed a promotion course and was made a Lance Corporal during the pre-deployment training for Afghanistan.
Colleagues say Lance Corporal Elson was a keen rugby player who lived for the mates he had around him in the Welsh Guard andwas clearly destined for promotion in the future.
Lieutenant Colonel Gus Fair, Commanding Officer the Light Dragoons Battle Group, said: "Lance Corporal Elson was part of a small band of Welsh Guards attached to the Battle Group. Despite being small in number, they have made a huge impact with their professionalism, drive and determination to take the fight to the enemy. Lance Corporal Elson was one of the best of these. It is typical of the man that he died while providing cover to the rest of his platoon. Though Lance Corporal Elson is no longer with us, his fellow Welsh Guardsmen, and the Battle Group, will remember this talented and popular soldier."
His Battalion Second-in-Command, Major Andrew Speed MBE, said: "Lance Corporal Elson was a Javelin operator with one of the fire support groups, a job he relished. He was extremely fit and was mentally very tough. Prior to deployment, Lance Corporal Elson broke his wrist while learning to drive a Quad bike. This meant that his deployment would be delayed. So keen was he to deploy with his fellow Welsh Guardsmen that he suggested to his section commander that he should cut off his plaster and pretend that his wrist was fine. To his disappointment, he was forced to wait for his wrist to heal."
His Platoon Commander, Captain Phil Durham, said: "Lance Corporal Elson was recently promoted because he embodied all the qualities of the most promising of junior leaders: outstanding fitness, calmness under pressure and an intense reliability. He was immensely popular and had a great sense of humour. No matter the size of the task ahead of him, he would take it in his stride with the same wry grin. All this made him an outstanding Welsh Guardsman and junior non commissioned officer. His passing has left a void in the platoon which cannot be filled."
Tributes and messages
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Always in my heart
Report this message By Alison Elson on 5th Nov 2011It's 38 years tonight since I came to live in Wales - and how much has happened in that time! Some good, some bad and some unbearably sad. You were such a big part of my life for so much of it, and you will have a place in my heart for all eternity. Love and miss you always, Mum xxxxxxxxxx
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Dane with his nieces, Abbi & Cerys
Uploaded by Alison Elson on 24th Dec 2010 Report this image | View all
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Missing you ...
Report this message By Alison Elson on 25th Jul 2011Two years have passed so quickly - it seems like only yesterday you walked out of the door wearing that big cheesy 'Chester cat' grin and telling us 'I'll be fine' .... what we wouldn't give for just one more day. We always told you we loved you so you were never in any doubt of that - and that will never change. Only now we don't have you here to tell you. Miss you so very much babe. You will be in my heart for all eternity, Mum xxxxxxxxx
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Without You ...
Report this message By Alison Elson on 26th Apr 2011Missed you being there with us on the weekend. Our family will never be 'complete' again and we feel it more than ever at these occasions. So sad. Look over your sisters won't you babe, they need to know you are safe and still around us. You will be in my heart for all eternity, Mum xxxxxxxxxx
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Missing you
Report this message By Alison Elson on 20th Mar 2011
Missing you today especially. Just one birthday wish - that you were here to share it. Always in my heart, Mum xxxxxxxxxx -
Just for you...
Report this message By rhian woolley on 19th Mar 2011I never kenw you, but soooo regret never gettin the chance to see that cheeky smile everyone talkes about:(
I'm sure if i met u we would have had such a laugh, sleep tite sweetness, till we meet again.xxxx
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Twelfth Night
Report this message By Alison Elson on 5th Jan 2011
Well babe we're in to another new year without you. Twelfth night and eighteen months today since you left us. Even now it seems hard to believe this has happened. We still hurt and miss you so very much and always will. Just hope you are in a better place and with all those family members who went before you - including Holly, Jan & Bugsy! You will be forever in our hearts, Mum xxxxxxxxxx -
Christmas wishes
Report this message By Alison Elson on 24th Dec 2010
Remembering all the Christmases spent during your childhood. The presents, the Christmas dinners in the bar, the new pyjamas on Christmas eve ready for Santa's visit! So many lovely memories and now so much sadness. Miss and love you with all my heart son. Will carry you in my heart for ever, Mum xxxxxxxxxx -
Snowballing!
Report this message By Alison Elson on 19th Dec 2010Well babe, you'd love all this snow! Brings back memories of when it snowed at the Rose & Crown - you drove everyone mad throwing snowballs every time someone stepped out of the kitchen! You were a little sod but they all loved you! You certainly used to liven up their working day. Lovely memories. Jess would give you a run for your money in the snowballing stakes now tho -she's taken over where you left off! Keep watching over us all won't you babe - especially your dad. Love and miss you with all my heart, Mum xxxxxxxxxx
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Memories...
Report this message By Alison Elson on 18th Nov 2010Hiya chic, well hope you were listening - we had some coldsore to go with the salad and my coleslaw has helaed up now! Lovely to have so many memories of the funny things you used to say and do. Like your 'chester cat grin'! You always made us smile, and now our memories of you do too. Miss you so very much and love you always. Always in my heart, Mum xxxxxxxxxx
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Remembrance
Report this message By Alison Elson on 11th Nov 2010Hi babe,
well that was a lovely intimate service wasn't it? Lovely that those people took the trouble to turn out on such a horrid day to pay their respects. Low key and no fuss but totally sincere - as it should be. You will always be our hero, son. In my heart for all eternnity. Mum xxxxxxxxxx
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Missing you ...
Report this message By Alison Elson on 9th Nov 2010Well, babe that took long enough didn't it? Just goes to show eh? Spoke about you loads with Frankie last week - still can't believe you're not coming home. Can still picture your cheesy grin when you last walked out thru the door... Loving and missing you as much as ever, Mum xxxxxxxxxx
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Remembrance
Report this message By Alison Elson on 11th Nov 2011