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Father’s grief after soldier son is killed by bomb in Afghanistan
Tuesday, 2 June 2009
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The grieving father of the young Northern Ireland soldier killed in Afghanistan at the weekend has told of his immense pride in his son and his “noble profession”.
Fighting back tears in the front room of his east Belfast home yesterday, Nigel Moffett said his eldest son, also called Nigel, died doing what he loved.
Lance Corporal Nigel Moffett (28), attached to the Light Dragoons Regiment, lost his life alongside Corporal Stephen Bolger, of 1 Para, a member of the Parachute Regiment following an explosion in Musa Qala, in Helmand province.
In an emotionally charged interview, Mr Moffett said Nigel’s death was the second tragedy to befall the family in just five years after he lost his wife Elaine, a mother of eight, to cancer in May 2004.
“We had great trouble with that,” he told the Belfast Telegraph.
“There’s a complete difference between the loss of a mother and the loss of a son.
“The children nursed their mother, she passed away naturally and we learnt to deal with that.
“Nigel put himself in harm’s way, as is the case with all soldiers. But he chose the Army as his career and he loved it.
“My own tribute to Nigel is the same as to my wife; I will miss the empty chair.
“He wasn’t always here because he came and went but the chair will always be empty now and I will miss that.”
Mr Moffett said that Nigel, who was based in Swanton Morley, England, was “with his mother now”.
And he added: “I have lost two of the best people I have ever known.”
Nigel, one of eight children and two step-children, had been a soldier for seven years when he was killed on his fourth Tour of Duty.
He had twice served in Iraq and his recent deployment was his second operation in Afghanistan – before which he had come home briefly to Belfast for a one-day trip last November.
His 54-year-old father, a civil servant, said he knew the risks of war, but he was unprepared for the dreadful news he received on Saturday from his son Niall (27) who was contacted by the Ministry of Defence.
Heartbroken Mr Moffett said the family’s strong Mormon faith would help them come to terms with the fact that they will never see him again.
“My mother-in-law said ‘God could change things but he doesn’t’ and I just think that encapsulates the way I feel now,” he said.
“But I struggle. I have my beliefs which are set upon a rock but I struggle because it hurts a wee bit.”
Mr Moffett paid tribute to his son’s missionary work and his many talents.
“He was a good soul,” he said.
“He served in a mission for the church in Madagascar and spent 13 months doing missionary work. He loved the poor.
“He was gentle and he had a great sense of humour. He loved reading and painting.
“He was a good soldier. He loved the Army. The regiment loved him and he really loved the regiment. It’s a noble profession.”
Nigel Jnr — originally from the Holywood Road area of east Belfast — was a friend of Amanda Binnie, the widow of Corporal Sean Binnie, who recently died in Afghanistan.
The two soldiers were both members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints. Bishop Victor Shearer said the young soldier’s death had caused devastation.
“I can’t believe two members [of the congregation] have been killed. It’s like lightning has struck twice,” he said.
Mr Moffett said that he and Mrs Binnie “shared a moment” when she visited the family on Saturday to pass on her condolences.
Nigel is survived by his father, stepmother Carol, siblings Niall, Rachel, Owen, Paul, Kevin, Miriam, Hannah and stepsisters Carolyn and Michelle.
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I pray for your family to be embraced with comfort and peace as you recall sweet memories of your noble and courageous son. I express the deepest gratitude for your son and many men and women like him who fight to give us the freedoms we all enjoy and take so much for granted. You all have made a huge and sacred sacrifice. Thank you and God Bless. Keep the faith. You will see your son and wife again some day.
Sincerely,
Terri
Posted by Terri | 20.06.09, 22:55 GMT
I too served as a missionary with Nigel in Madagascar and he was a caring man, who loved those around him. I believe it is what caused he to want to be in the service of those less fortunate. I pray that he will be remembered by all that knew him as a man of faith, character and courage. God be with you till we meet again Nigel.
Posted by Noah | 16.06.09, 05:33 GMT
Prayers going out to you for comfort, and the Peace that the world cannot give. He is doing the Lord's work now. Thank you for his service. You will see him again.
Posted by Carolyn | 08.06.09, 23:41 GMT
My deepest sympathies for both the Moffett & Binnie families. What a tragic end for such outstanding young men. My thoughts & prayers are with all of you. It will be a grand homecoming when you all get to see each other again. Stay close to your Heavenly Father, he will comfort you in the coming days, weeks, and months. He loves you and knows your pain & suffering.
Posted by Pat Dillard-Wiley | 08.06.09, 14:52 GMT
Our Condolences and Prayers. Our Gratitude for the service of your son. From Oregon
Paul Dunn
Posted by Paul | 07.06.09, 03:29 GMT
Paul Moffett served here in Hartlepool on his mission and was really loved.If Nigel was anything like him you have lost a beautiful son but only for a while. Gird up your loins brother Moffett fresh courage take You r family is well thought of and our prayers are with you.
Posted by Catherine Gardner | 06.06.09, 21:36 GMT
Paul Moffett served here in Hartlepool on his mission and was really loved.If Nigel was anything like him you have lost a beautiful son but only for a while. Gird up your loins brother Moffett fresh courage take You r family is well thought of and our prayers are with you.
Posted by Catherine Gardner | 06.06.09, 21:33 GMT
Brother Moffett,
Our hearts go out to you in the loss of your son. We have also lost a son and so we know and understand the deep pain of loss and grief. We have found great solace and peace in knowing that his life continues and that we will be together with him again. I know this will help you, too, but it doesn't remove the grief--maybe it just softens it a bit or helps you to heal because you don't have the despair of worrying that you'll never see him again.
Posted by Kristen | 06.06.09, 19:09 GMT
My prayers are with both families. My two sons have also served in the Middle East. I know the pull it is on your heart. But I also know that a loving Heavenly Father sees all and will bring peace to our hearts if we let Him.
Posted by JJ | 06.06.09, 18:49 GMT
Your brothers and sisters in America feels your pain, our prayers are with all military men and women through out the world. Thank goodness we have the Gospel and its teaching of our Heavenly Father plan. He never leaves us uncomforted.
Posted by Lolly | 06.06.09, 17:02 GMT
A tribute of your son's faith, the love of God and his country as well as his fellow humans. From the state of Kansas, a fellow LDS member extends to you the arms of friendshp and testimony that you will see your son and wife again, just not in your time, but in Heavenly Fathers time. I know they await you with loving thoughts.
Posted by Lindsay | 06.06.09, 16:37 GMT
May God bless both these families with his Holy Spirit during this difficult time. There is hope only because of Christ and his Atonement and Resurrection. God so loved the world that he gave his only Begotten Son. He lives and so do both of these soldiers. May the Holy Ghost comfort you in the days, weeks, and months ahead is my simple prayer.
Posted by Richard | 06.06.09, 05:59 GMT
I know that you will meet again and that he is with his mother.
It appears that L/Cpl Moffett was one heck of a man.
I was in the US Army during the Viet Nam era.
My youngest son was a US Marine who did 2 tours in Iraq + Kuwait + 2 tours in Afghanistan.
Posted by D.R. Daines Sr | 05.06.09, 20:49 GMT
My thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Moffett family. May they be comforted in knowing that he died for the cause of freedom and that he has returned to the care of his Father in Heaven
Posted by Mike | 05.06.09, 19:01 GMT
My heart goes out to the Moffett and Binnie families. All across our world, we are proud of our Youth in Zion, fighting for what they believe is right. May Heavenly Father bless the families of these two brave and righteous young men.
Posted by Linda | 05.06.09, 18:38 GMT
Brother Moffett, my heart goes out to you and your other children as you come to terms with this most unwelcome event. 30 years ago, my own son left our world for the next. Because of this, I have some sense of your sufferings. Based on my experience, I promise that you will see Nigel again and that time does heal all wounds. I'm certain his mother is delighted to have him with her and his presence is a blessing to all the rest of your family that have preceded us there. God bless!I love 'yall'!
Posted by Rick in Nashville | 05.06.09, 18:37 GMT
I served in Madagascar with Nigel. He was such a character, so full of life, sincerity, and humor. One day while we were together, he took off his boots and handed them to a man on the streets who needed them more than he did. That day Nigel returned to our home shoeless. He was noble and greatly loved by all. He will be missed.
Posted by Jared | 03.06.09, 17:22 GMT
Its desperate when Susan Boyle gets more headlines than a guy who dies for his country and beliefs. No disrespect to Miss Boyle..the media need to have a good look at themselves.
My deepest sympathies to his family.
Posted by James | 02.06.09, 16:03 GMT
My family and I wish to express our condolences to the Moffett and Binnie families for their tragic losses. Our prayers will be with both your families.
Posted by Jim LaForce | 02.06.09, 13:37 GMT