VILLAGERS in Kirtlington tonight paid tribute to Lieutenant Colonel Rupert Thorneloe, the highest-ranking British Army officer to be killed in action in more than 25 years.

Lt Col Thorneloe MBE, 39, the commanding officer of the 1st Battalion of the Welsh Guards, was killed by an explosion in Afghanistan on Wednesday.

Trooper Joshua Hammond, of 2nd Royal Tank Regiment was also killed in the incident close to the Shamalan Canal, near Lashkar Gah, in Helmand Province.

Lt Col Thorneloe’s wife Sally, who lives in the village with daughters Hannah and Sophie, said her husband’s death had come as a “devastating blow”.

He had left the Battle Group Headquarters travelling in a supply convoy so he could visit his men as they conducted a major operation against Taliban fighters.

He was travelling in an armoured vehicle when a bomb detonated underneath and Lt Col Thorneloe and Tpr Hammond were killed.

Villagers in Kirtlington told of their shock at the news yesterday.

Mrs Thorneloe said: “Rupert was my very best friend and his death is a devastating blow.

“Our daughters Hannah and Sophie will have to grow up without their beloved Daddy, although I will see a part of him in them every day.

“I could not have asked for a more caring, adoring and loving husband and father.

“While he was with us, our lives were filled with joy and happiness. They will never be the same again.

“Hannah always said the best bit of Daddy was his coming home and that will never happen again.”

Family friends John Crisp, 79, and wife Liza, 78, who live in the village, said their thoughts were with Lt Col’s Thorneloe’s widow, their daughters and his parents John and Veronica, who also live in the village.

Former Royal Green Jackets soldier Mr Crisp said: “We have known Rupert since he was six, and he has been a great leader in the village, as are his parents, who are the first to help with anything.

“When I first heard the news, I thought about our son, who is about the same age, and I thought ‘my God, what would I do if our son was lost?’ I would be devastated, as are John and Veronica. Rupert was always in the lead – it’s a great loss.”

Veronica is a guide at Blenheim Palace.

Mr Crisp said the news of the 39-year-old’s death spread through the village after his mother told staff in the village post office, where wristbands are on sale to show support for the Welsh Guards serving in Afghanistan.

Lt Col ‘H’ Jones was the last battalion commander killed in battle, when he died leading the 2nd Battalion of the Parachute Regiment at Goose Green in the Falklands conflict in 1982.

The Rev Jane Hemmings, vicar of Kirtlington’s St Mary the Virgin Church, said: “The Thorneloes are very well known in the village and everyone is devastated – it’s a very close-knit community.”

Elizabeth Russell, 38, added: “Most people know the Thorneloes and everyone is feeling shocked.”

Dennis Bass, 65, said: “Rupert was obviously away a lot but when he was in the village he was always very pleasant.”

Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth said: “As his own thorough and thoughtful tributes to those who fell before him show, he led his men with energy, care, and pride.”

  • The Prince of Wales said that Lt Colonel Rupert Thorneloe’s death in Afghanistan had been “completely heartbreaking”.

The prince is Colonel-in-Chief of the Welsh Guards.

Prince Charles, who knew the officer, said: “As you can imagine, the shock and horror that has affected the whole of the regiment family was quite dramatic.

“I was horrified to say the least about both deaths, Trooper Hammond as well.

“Having been to visit the Welsh Guards at Aldershot before they left to go to Afghanistan, having met the families and having met Col Rupert’s wife, my heart is very much with them.

“It’s completely heartbreaking. To lose a commanding officer who was such an inspiring person is an awful tragedy.”

Prime Minister Gordon Brown added: “Lt Col Thorneloe was someone I know, someone I worked with, someone I admired.”