N.B. base in mourning as 6 soldiers' names released

Last Updated: Monday, April 9, 2007 | 11:21 PM ET

CBC News

CFB Gagetown is devastated after learning six Canadian soldiers killed by a roadside bomb were based there, says the commander of the New Brunswick military base. 

The latest Canadian casualties in Afghanistan include Pte. David Robert Greenslade, top left, Pte. Kevin Vincent Kennedy, top right, Sgt. Donald Lucas, bottom left, and Cpl. Aaron E. Williams, bottom right.
(Department of National Defence)

"We have been talking about what if scenarios probably for six months or eight months," base commander Col. Ryan Jestin said Monday. "This was not anywhere close to what we had expecting. I'll be very frank: This has had a devastating impact on the community."

The six soldiers died Sunday when their armoured vehicle struck a roadside bomb west of Kandahar City. They were travelling in a convoy near the border with Helmand province when their LAV III rolled over a pressure-triggered explosive device, said military officials.

Two other soldiers were injured in the blast; one was treated and released while the other was to be airlifted to a U.S. military hospital in Landstuhl, Germany.

Military officials have identified the six dead as:

• Sgt. Donald Lucas, 31, of Burton, N.B. (but raised in St. John's). 
• Cpl. Aaron E. Williams, 23, of Lincoln, N.B.
• Pte. Kevin Vincent Kennedy, 20, of St. Lawrence, N.L.
• Pte. David Robert Greenslade, 20, of Saint John, N.B.
• Cpl. Christopher Paul Stannix, 24, of Dartmouth, N.S.
• Cpl. Brent Poland, 37, of Camlachie, Ont.

Based in N.B., N.S.

Five of the six dead soldiers were members of the 2nd Battalion, the Royal Canadian Regiment, based in CFB Gagetown.

Lucas was remembered as a prankster, fun-loving and hard working.

"He's like all young fellas, he had a little bit of a crazy side, too," said Reverend Mark James, a friend. "But that was the fun part. But when the fun was over and the work was to be done, you didn't have to tell him twice."

Williams was a sniper and regarded as one of the best shots on the base. He was described as a soldier's soldier.

"Just a real quiet professional guy. Like I said, he did everything well," said Master Cpl. Tracy Price, a friend.

Kennedy had followed his brother into the military.

"I was always quite impressed with his motto in life — to do some good for others —and just what, more or less, what he was trying to do," said Wayde Rowsell, mayor of St. Lawrence, N.L., who knew Kennedy as a boy.

Greenslade had tried to convince his parents of his need to serve.

"I would have done anything to stop him from going but I supported him because I'm his mom and that's what you do," said Laurie Greenslade.

Stannix was a reservist with the Halifax-based Princess Louise Fusiliers Army Reserve Infantry Regiment. Six months ago, the North Bay, Ont.-born soldier had travelled to Virginia to train with U.S. Marines and Navy Seals to prepare for his voluntary deployment, the CBC's Rob Gordon reported.

Cpl. Brent Poland, left, and Cpl. Christopher P. Stannix, right.
(DND)

"He had a dry sense of humour, consistently hard working. He was well respected by all who knew him and worked with him," said Lt.-Col. Marcel Boudreau, of the Princess Louise Fusiliers.

His family released the following statement on Monday:

"We cannot begin to tell you what Chris's loss means to us and how much we share the grief and send our sympathy to those other families who lost their loved ones.

"Chris loved his family, he loved Canada, he loved the Canadian Forces and he loved the Fusiliers. He believed in the mission in Afghanistan and believed he and his fellow soldiers were making a difference."

Poland, who took a demotion to be part of the mission in Afghanistan, had a "very strong belief in the mission and that, I think, is something worthy of the highest salute," said Lt.-Col. Paul Kearney, chief of staff, CFB Gagetown.

Gagetown offering support

Speaking at a news conference late Sunday, Jestin said he and his staff spent most of the day tracking down the families of the soldiers killed in the attack, since many people had travelled off the base to celebrate the Easter holiday.

The public relations officer at Gagetown said it's tough to go to work Monday, but that staff on the base are rallying around the families of the victims.

"Right now, we're getting over the shock of yesterday's news," said Lieut. Brian Owens. "It's a very difficult time, it's tragic for the community."

"Our resolve is there to carry on. Our No. 1 mission is to support the families."

'One of our darkest days'

Fay Tidd, the mayor of Oromocto, a town that's built around the base, said she didn't find out until late Sunday.

"The sun is shining here … but it's one of our darkest days."

Oromocto MLA Jody Carr said the deaths have been hard on the community.

"Obviously Oromocto and CFB Gagetown are small communities and obviously the impact is great throughout the community and throughout the Maritimes," he said.

Jestin said a memorial service will be held for the six soldiers.

With files from the Canadian Press