Requiescat in pace

I suddenly feel very emo today for matters not of my immediate concern.

A few days ago, the commanding officer of the 1st Battalion, the Welsh Guards, Lt. Col. Rupert Thorneloe was killed when his vehicle ran over an IED in the 'Ghan. His death is poignant to me, not because I am related to the Welsh Guards in any way, but because of the nature of his death. A few weeks ago, he was alive and well, giving commentary from his base camp while watching the Irish Guards troop their Colour on Horse Guards in London. Now, the man I saw on YouTube is dead. It's quite shocking really, the space of time which this happened. I just saw the interview again. I see a man who is now dead. Also, he was a commanding officer. I am sure he was a father figure to all the Welsh Guardsmen serving with him, and his loss will be mourned by all the members of the battalion. I then wonder, what if this happened to my 'bosses', the authority figures in my life, like my parents or my DGLs? How would I take it? Certainly worse than how I'm taking Lt. Col. Thorneloe's death right now, though I never knew him.

I offer my sincere condolences to the family of the bereaved, and may God comfort you.

(Consequently, his family will also receive the Elizabeth Cross, which was announced the same day he died. How coincidental.)