#shinebrightbodie
Lance Corporal Brodie Gillon, a member of the Royal Army Medical Corps and a reserve with the Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry, was killed in Iraq on March 11th after a dozen missiles were fired at Camp Taji, north of Baghdad in Iraq, by Iranian backed militia.
Two Americans, a soldier and a contractor, were also killed in the attack. In addition, 12 people from the Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve were injured.
The attack involved more than 15 small rockets hitting the base on Wednesday March 11th at 19:35 local time. the Taji airbase is used as a training site for coalition forces and is home to around 400 UK military personnel. The base is located north of Baghdad and covers 13 square miles.
The attack coincided with what would have been the birthday of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani, who was killed in a US drone strike in January.
LCpl Brodie Gillon was 26 years old and came from Ayr, Scotland. She had a career as a sports physiotherapist before she joined theĀ Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry regiment in September 2015 as a Combat Medical Technician (CMT), progressing to qualify as a Class 1 Combat Medical Technician in 2018.
Following her death, the body of Brodie was repatriated to Royal Air Force Brize Norton on Thursday with the RAF A400M touching down at Thursday March 12th at 1.30pm.
Her family attended the service along with senior military figures and representatives of her regiment.
She was described as a āforce of natureā and āfierce with a strong mind and sensitive soulā by her family. Her commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel William Leek, said she was hugely popular with her comrades, an outstanding medic, and was larger than life who cared deeply about others needs ahead of her own.
Because of the continuing Coronavirus pandemic crisis, LCpl Brodie Gillon was denied a FULL military funeral.
And so all those serving in the British army and ex-veterans were asked through their social media networks and community forums to light a candle for Brodie at 9pm on Tuesday March 31st (#shinebrightbrodie) to show our appreciation for the life and sacrifice of Brodie Gillon.
RIP Brodie. God bless you.
Till Valhalla, shieldmaiden.
