Craig O’Donnell Obituary, Death Cause – While serving in Kabul with B Company of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 5th Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, Private O’Donnell was killed in a suicide bombing. Craig O’Donnell, a private who was born in Clydebank, Dunbartonshire, joined the Argylls in 2004. Before being sent to Afghanistan in July as a member of the force protection element in Kabul, he served in Kenya in 2006 and Bosnia in 2005. Commanding Officer Lt Col Simon West characterized Private O’Donnell as “a very positive young man, well liked by all his peers, and with a very bright future ahead of him.”
He was an Argyll soldier who was committed and professional and stood for all the right things in life. Robert and Lorraine have released the following statement on their son’s passing on behalf of the family: The news of Craig’s passing away while on duty in Kabul, Afghanistan, stunned and grieved the family and all of his friends. He was a lovely son who loved life to the fullest and was a die-hard supporter of the music group Queen and the Celtic Football Club. He was a positive person who always placed others before himself. He was eagerly anticipating getting married, settling down with his fiancee Jessica, and welcoming their first kid this Christmas.
Since he was four years old, Craig has had the desire to join the regular Army. He frequently spoke of his passion for the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, which he joined in March 2004. All of his relatives, who were incredibly proud of him for being a soldier and who really looked up to his younger sister Claire, miss him dearly. Words at this point cannot adequately reflect the depth of our sorrow, yet they are accompanied by a sense of pride that he died while defending his nation. By everyone who knew him, he will always be remembered.
