Airman killed in Afghanistan Blast

Family pay tribute to former Dover schoolboy caught up in explosion

AN RAF squadron leader who went to school in Dover has died after an explosion in Afghanistan.

Former Dover Grammar School for Boys pupil Sqn Ldr Anthony Downing, 34, was killed after the vehicle he was travelling in was caught up in the blast south of Kabul on Thursday, December 22.

He was flown home, but died of his injuries the day after at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, with his family by his side. His parents, Michael and Masheeda Downing, from , Kingsdown, paid tribute to their son, describing him as kind and helpful, although quiet and reserved.

In a statement, they said: “We treasure the memories and the achievements of his fantastic life and without him our lives have been diminished.”

Sqn Ldr Downing had served at RAF Kinloss, Scotland, before he was deployed to Afghanistan in the autumn.

A keen athlete, he joined the Deal Striders and Velo Club aged 17. He had completed ultra marathons and double Ironmans.

Sqn Ldr Downing’s love of flying started when he joined the Dover Grammar School for Boys Combined Cadet Force.

A statement released by the RAF said: “His unassuming and modest demeanour belied a hugely professional officer and an extremely determined individual. His work in Afghanistan typified this as he had studied hard at the Defence School of Languages, Beaconsfleld, coming top of his language course, and travelled to Tajikistan in his own time to further his studies.”

Grp Capt Robbie Noel added: “He led his team in the most honest and courageous fashion earning the highest respect from those under his command.” Capt Tom 'Winnings, of the Royal Marines, was also killed in the blast.

The funeral has been provisionally booked for Friday, January 13, at St John The Evangelist Church, Kingsdown.