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http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/blast-kills-canadian-foot-soldier/article1342335/Blast kills Canadian foot soldierJustin Garrett Boyes was leading a group of Afghan police when he died in the explosion that injured two other soldiersGloria Galloway
Kabul — Globe and Mail update Published on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009 4:18PM EDT Last updated on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009 4:23PM EDT
Justin Garrett Boyes was leading a foot patrol of Afghan National police through a district heavily populated by Taliban on Wednesday morning when the ground exploded beneath him.
Lieutenant Boyes, a 26-year-old father who had just arrived for his second tour of duty in Kandahar 10 days ago, did not survive the blast.
Two other Canadian soldiers were injured when the device planted by insurgents detonated at about 9 a.m. They are expected to recover. But Lt. Boyes, the platoon commander for a police mentoring unit based out of the PRT in Kandahar city, was too badly wounded.
He leaves his wife, Alanna, and his three-year-old son, James.
“Justin was a dedicated family man and spent every possible moment with his wife and son,” said Brigadier-General Jonathan Vance, the head of coalition troops in Kandahar, said WEDNESDAY night.
“Growing up in Saskatchewan, he was an easy-going Prairie boy who preferred sitting around the back yard with good friends, his family and a cold drink.”
Lt. Boyes was a member of the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, based in Edmonton. He has a brother who is a member of the 2nd Battalion, PPCLI, based in Shilo, Man.
Their parents, Angela and David, and a sister in Britain, are also left to mourn his death.
A loss so early in the deployment of the battalion will be difficult to accept for the military comrades who worked with Lt. Boyes, Gen. Vance said. The soldiers from Edmonton have only just finished replacing the Quebec battalion that was in Kandahar during the spring and summer.
Lt. Boyes had served six year as an infantry officer in the reserve force, achieving the rank of Master Corporal, before taking an officer's commission and transferring to the regular force.
“Although he arrived in Afghanistan only 10 days ago, Justin immediately embraced his role as police mentor and was eager to share his experiences and knowledge with members of the force, all in an effort to provide stability to the population so we could, in concert with the Afghan government, extend basic services and humanitarian assistance to those in need,” Gen. Vance said. “Although he was a member of the PPLCLI for barely a year, he left a lasting impression on those who had the privilege of working for and with him.”
