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As
part of 20 Field Squadron he deployed to Canada in February 2007 to take
part in a demanding construction exercise to upgrade and construct
facilities at the British Army Training Unit, Suffield. Thereafter Lance
Corporal Violino participated fully in the pre-deployment training for
Afghanistan deploying with his Squadron on the 52 Infantry Brigade
exercise on Salisbury Plain and taking part in a live firing exercise on
Thetford Training Area. Prior to his deployment, Lance Corporal
Violino's high professional standards were recognised when he was
selected for promotion to Corporal.
Lance Corporal Violino arrived in Afghanistan on 2 September 2007 and
is sadly the first fatality from 36 Engineer Regiment. He leaves behind
his wife, Katey Anne (known as Katey), and seven-year-old twins from a
previous relationship, Ellie and Lewis.
Lieutenant Colonel Richard Wardlaw, Commanding Officer 36 Engineer
Regiment, said:
"Lance Corporal Violino was an experienced and dedicated
junior non commissioned officer, the very epitome of a modern professional
soldier, who lived life to the full and gave his all to the Army, his
comrades and to his family. Extremely fit, enthusiastic and exceptionally
hard working, he drew respect and praise in equal measure: his recent and
early selection for promotion to Corporal is testament to the excellent
career which lay ahead. He will be sorely missed but never forgotten by
all those who had the honour to serve alongside him." "The very
epitome of a modern professional soldier, [Lance Corporal Violino]
lived life to the full and gave his all to the Army, his comrades and to
his family."
Major Gareth Baker, Officer Commanding 20 Field Squadron, said:
"Lance Corporal Violino was a dedicated professional with a
strong sense of duty and endless enthusiasm for his chosen career. He was
a privilege to command; was always positive, proactive, and utterly
reliable in everything he did. He took immense pride in his performance
both at work and in his sporting pursuits. An excellent sportsman; he was
awarded Army colours for canoeing and was an integral member of the
winning Royal Engineers team in the extremely physically demanding Devizes
to Westminster canoe race.
"Lance Corporal Violino's outstanding performance was
recognised by all who worked with him. He made his mark in the Squadron
with his endless professional knowledge, high standards and genteel
manner. Nothing was too much trouble and he had time for anyone who would
benefit from his experience. He regularly took on responsibilities beyond
his rank and was always prepared to help others. This fact had been
recognised by his early promotion to Lance Corporal and his recent
selection for promotion to Corporal ahead of his peers.
"I cannot express how deeply shocked all of the Squadron have been by
this tragic loss so early in our deployment. Lance Corporal Violino
was killed by an indiscriminate explosive device while commanding a key
piece of engineer equipment. His mission was to move the equipment as part
of a large logistics convoy to ensure it was in the right place at the
right time. Our only consolation is that it was typical of his character
to volunteer for this mission, fully aware of the risks associated, and he
was supporting the Squadron effort in the best way he could. Our thoughts
and prayers go out to his family and friends who have lost a husband,
father and exceptional man."
Warrant Officer Class 2 Pat Rendell, Squadron Sergeant Major 20 Field
Squadron, said:
"Lance Corporal Ivano Violino was a first class junior non
commissioned officer, a larger than life character and an extremely well
respected member of the Squadron and Regiment. The word professional sums
this man up perfectly, as proved by his recent selection for promotion to
Corporal. The enthusiasm with which he conducted himself was infectious
and others who worked alongside him have no doubt benefited from his
breadth and depth of knowledge. The news of his death came as a great
shock to all who knew him. My thoughts go out to all his family and
friends. He will be sorely missed by all members of 20 Field Squadron.
Missed but not forgotten."
A close friend of Lance Corporal Violino, Lance Corporal Adam
Cornelius, 50 Headquarters and Support Squadron, said:
"Lance Corporal Violino, or Sean to his friends, was an
all round good guy. I had the privilege to know him, his wife Katey
and his two young twins Ellie and Lewis. My thoughts and prayers go
out to his family at this time of great sadness.
"I will remember Sean best for his 'Cheeky Chappy' attitude to
life both in and out of work. His death is a massive loss as he was an
individual who had so much to give to others."
Lance Corporal Graham Bradley, 20 Field Squadron, a close friend,
added:
"Sean was an excellent non commissioned officer who was well
respected by his blokes. But most of all he was a genuinely good man and
friend; he talked constantly about his wife, children and his ambitions
for himself and his family."
Sean's wife, Katey, said:
"Sean will be sadly missed for his infectious enthusiasm for
life and his desire to be everyone's friend. He was popular with everyone
he met and was loved by friends and family alike. Sean was very
proud to be a member of the Armed Forces, in particular the Royal
Engineers, and having been selected for promotion to Corporal had a bright
future ahead of him. The world is a poorer place without Sean." |
![[ Lance Corporal Ivano Violino ]](Sean_Violino.gif)