Comrades and friends have paid tribute today to the British two soldiers gunned down by the Real IRA outside an army barracks in Northern Ireland on Saturday night.
Sapper Mark Quinsey (23) and Sapper Patrick Azimkar (21) both of 38 Engineer Regiment, were shot dead outside Massereene Barracks in Antrim town.
Sapper Azimkar’s family is of north Cypriot origin, but one neighbour living opposite the Azimkar house in London said the young soldier’s mother, Geraldine, was born in Britain of Irish descent. She said Mrs Azimkar’s elderly mother came to Britain as a young girl and lived with the family until recently, when she moved to a residential home.
The neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said: “They are a lovely family with two fine boys and anybody on the street will tell you that. I am devastated to hear the news.”
Northern Ireland’s most senior soldier, Brigadier George Norton, described the pair as “magnificent individuals” and condemned the “callous and clinical” attack.
After visiting Massereene Barracks this morning, British prime minister Gordon Brown said the Northern Ireland political process remained “unshakeable”.
He praised the bravery of the soldiers who went to the aid of those injured in Saturday night’s attack and said the security forces were determined to bring the killers to justice.
Sapper Quinsey, from Birmingham, and Sapper Azimkar, from Wood Green, north London, were wearing desert fatigues ahead of leaving for Afghanistan when they came under attack as they took delivery of pizzas. At one stage the killers stood over their victims and fired a second volley.
Sapper Azimkar was a talented footballer who had trials with Tottenham Hotspur when he was younger. He was looking forward to going to Afghanistan on his first operational tour and had been earmarked to undergo non-commissioned officer (NCO) training on his return to the UK. Fellow soldiers paid tribute to his “cheeky smile” and tireless work ethic.
Friends and neighbours around his home in Wood Green spoke of a sport-loving young man from a close family.
Greg Kalogirou, a friend of Sapper Azimkar for 11 years, said: "I used to play football with him all the time. We just did what normal kids do.
"He loved football and he was really good. He could have done that as well to be honest but he chose the Army. It was all he'd ever wanted to do."
Lieutenant Colonel Roger Lewis, commanding officer of 38 Engineer Regiment, said he was “dedicated, ambitious and full of energy”.
Sapper Quinsey, who joined the British army when he was 19, was described as a “charismatic and affable young soldier” with vast potential. Comrades in his regiment spoke fondly of his charming “Brummie banter” and dry sense of humour.
British Defence Secretary John Hutton added the two soldiers “were young men who had trained hard and were on the verge of deploying to Afghanistan. “By all accounts they were promising soldiers and had already achieved a good deal in their careers to date.
“My thoughts and sympathies are with their families and friends at this difficult time.”