Two Yorkshire soldiers killed in crash

Private Jim Austin, 24, of 400 Troop Royal Logistics Corps, and Lance Sergeant David Gartland, 40, of the Grenadier Guards, died when the Army Land Rover they were in was involved in a crash with two HGVs on the A66 at Stainmore, Cumbria, on Thursday.

The Ministry of Defence today said the men, both based at the Infantry Training Centre (ITC) at Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, were on their way back after a training exercise on the Warcop ranges in Cumbria.

The MoD said Pte Austin’s death had come “just months” after he had achieved “one of his greatest ambitions” - becoming a father.

Captain Dominic Rogerson, Officer Commanding 400 Troop, said: “Private Austin’s untimely death is a tragic loss to the Troop and his battalion.

“He was totally committed and an extremely hard-working soldier who was highly respected by his peers and chain of command alike. He was a quiet unassuming soldier but one who had a great sense of humour and exceptional loyalty.

“Private Austin’s respect for others, professionalism and good humour were an example to us all. We and his friends will grieve his loss for a long time but our thoughts and prayers go to his family at this very sad time.”

L/Sgt Gartland was described as a “stalwart” of the Infantry Training Centre Medical Team.

Colonel Neil Gillespie, senior medical officer at the ITC in Catterick, said he was “utterly reliable and level-headed in a crisis”, with an even temperament and good sense that made him ideally suited to the training environment.

“His many years of experience in an infantry regimental aid post leant him credibility as the consummate medic, and he cherished his stature as an ‘old hand’, one who had been there and done it, emerging unruffled and unfazed at the other end,” he said.

“David was also much respected as someone who upheld the demanding standards which he had learnt as a junior Grenadier Guardsman, and he insisted on others doing the same, be it guiding a young recruit on how to pack his exercise kit, or assisting a scruffy medical officer to achieve a semblance of smartness on parade.

“His burly presence and northern demeanour belied someone who was modest and self-effacing. Although quiet in company, when talk turned to what mattered to him - perhaps the superiority of The Grenadier Guards or the cycling that he so enjoyed - a wry smile would form and he would become animated.

“His deepest pride, that eclipsed all others, was reserved for his wife Jo and daughter Alice, and he made no secret that there was nowhere he would rather be than back home with his family.”

He said the response to L/Sgt Gartland’s death was testament to his popularity and esteem in which he was held, adding: “We are still trying to comprehend his loss and the extent of the gap it will leave in our ranks, but our thoughts remain firmly with Joanne and Alice, as well as with his mother and many friends.

“One thing shines through this tragedy, permeating every aspect of his life, as husband, father, son and friend, and that is that David Gartland was a man of the utmost kindness and decency, universally liked and admired; one of life’s true gentlemen.”

Cumbria Police said investigations into the cause of the crash, which happened at about 1.40pm on Thursday on the eastbound carriageway of the A66 at Stainmore, are ongoing.

A spokesman said: “It is believed that one of the vehicles may have been emitting smoke prior to the collision which other motorists may have witnessed, and investigators are keen to speak to anyone who has seen any of the vehicles immediately prior to the collision.”