Tributes paid to murdered Shropshire soldier
[gallery] The commanding officer of a soldier who died at an Army base in Shropshire paid a personal tribute to his fallen charge during an event attended by the Duke of York.
Lieutenant Colonel Ivor Gardiner, Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion Royal Irish Regiment, said he had known Corporal Geoffrey McNeill well and that his thoughts were with the soldier's family.
He made the comments at a parade at Clive Barracks in Tern Hill, where the regiment is based, to celebrate St Patrick's Day. The troops were inspected by the Duke of York during the day.
Corporal McNeill, 32, was found dead in a building at the base, near Market Drayton, on March 8. Another soldier, Lance Corporal Richard Farrell, 23, has been charged with murder.
Speaking shortly before the St Patrick's Day parade on Saturday, Lieutenant Colonel Gardiner, said: "Things are more sombre than normal. The important thing is to carry on, as much as a respect to him than anything else. Our thoughts are with his family and they are here at the parade."
About 300 soldiers from the 1st Battalion the Royal Irish Regiment took part in the parade. The Duke, who is the Colonel in Chief of the regiment, was joined by more than 200 friends, family and local dignitaries at the parade on Saturday. Also on para
