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Young wife’s heartbreak as soldier husband dies

By Lisa Smyth
Saturday, 9 May 2009

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The widow of the young soldier shot and killed in Afghanistan has described the awful moment she learnt of her husband’s violent death.

Sean Binnie — a soldier from the Black Watch, 3rd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland who settled in Northern Ireland after meeting his wife who he married on December 12 last year — was patrolling with an Afghan National Army unit in Helmand Province when he was shot dead on Thursday.

Amanda Binnie was looking at the most recent photograph Mr Binnie had sent of himself to her when Ministry of Defence personnel arrived at her east Belfast home to break the devastating news.

She was surrounded by family and friends at home yesterday as she struggled to make sense of her loss, while waiting for further details about the incident that claimed her husband’s life.

Determined to pay tribute to her “perfect” husband, Mrs Binnie said: “I feel numb, in shock obviously, but I’m so proud of what he has done and what he has achieved. I think that is what is getting me through it really because he was a hero.

“I found out yesterday (Thursday) at about 4.15pm. It happened at 6am their time, which was 9.30am our time. The Army officials came to the door. I was uploading a picture of him he had sent me when they came to the door to tell me what happened.

“My mum let them in and the man was standing towards me with the lady at the back. My mum said in a whisper, ‘is it?’ and the girl nodded her head.

“I just squealed. I was in shock. I was sobbing but there were no tears or anything. I am still in shock now and there is worse to come.”

Fighting back tears, Mrs Binnie recalled her last conversation with her husband and revealed that he was due to return to Northern Ireland in a month to celebrate her birthday: “I was speaking to him on Wednesday night. He asked me on the phone why I loved him so I told him. He said he was due home on my birthday on June 10 as it was his R&R date.

“I asked him if he was going to bed because it was about midnight there and he told me he was going to get ready. I asked him what for and he said he couldn’t say but he would tell me later.

“I was walking to work yesterday (Thursday) morning and I was saying a prayer for him because I would worry about him and I had a feeling. I just knew.”

The couple met in a Belfast nightclub in September 2007 while Mr Binnie was stationed at Palace Barracks in Holywood. Several months later, Mr Binnie was transferred to barracks in Inverness in Scotland and he travelled to Northern Ireland every week to spend time with his future wife.

“Sean proposed to me on Valentine’s Day and we got married on December 12,” Mrs Binnie explained.

“He was everything to me. In all honesty, he was perfect. He was home every weekend and it cost a fortune. I have happy memories. Everything I wanted to do I did with him in that space.”

Mrs Binnie is planning to travel to Brize Norton with her family for the repatriation ceremony of her husband before bringing his remains to their east Belfast home ahead of his funeral service. Mr Binnie is survived by his parents, Janette and Allan Binnie, who live in Aberdeen.

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46 Comments

Deepest Sympathy to you and your family , Sean will live on in your hearts.

Posted by Denise | 13.05.09, 13:26 GMT

a true soldier and hero. we thank you for your service. god bless you and your family.....safe in the arms of jesus.

Posted by billy | 13.05.09, 04:24 GMT

Our thoughts and prayers are with you amanda and all the family sean was a hero and we hope you get through the next few days .One day the Angels will open a window in heaven and your hero will be waiting for you until then remember it matters not how long a star shines what is remembered is the brightness of its light God Bless xxx

Posted by wilma | 13.05.09, 02:21 GMT

I cant imagine what youre feeling and very sorry to hear this,my son whos 18 is in the same camp and I havent slept or eaten since he left,my thoughts are with you and may you be proud that he was doing something that he loved,may god take good care of this young man,god bless every soldier whos out there,

Posted by jayne | 12.05.09, 17:53 GMT

Yesterday (Saturday) i watched the F1 qualifying and i'm looking forward to the Northwest 200 bike race. I felt good - then i saw the interview with Amanda Binnie on BBC News 24 and i welled up. She is a lovely young woman and now her young brave husband has been killed in Afghanastan. I feel sorry for both of them as if they were my kids.

Posted by Vincent | 10.05.09, 10:48 GMT

I am so saddened to hear of the death of this brave soldier.
My thoughts and prayers are with his young widow and the entire family circle.

The Lord is My Shepherd.

Posted by Mrs. M. Brown | 10.05.09, 05:46 GMT

We are praying of you at this time and always think of the good times. Stephen wells

Posted by wells | 10.05.09, 00:55 GMT

You are in our hearts, thoughts and prayers. May god give all of you the strength you need for the future.

Posted by John | 09.05.09, 22:57 GMT

Nothing can help us understand what the family are going through, but I hope that it brings them some comfort to know that so many people are thinking of them

God bless you all through this very difficult time.

Posted by Rob | 09.05.09, 18:32 GMT

My deepest condolences to the entire family circle, my thanks go out to all the serviceman and women who put their lives in danger on a daily basis. My God bless you and your entire family at this very sad time.

Posted by Adrian | 09.05.09, 18:26 GMT

Very sad, my own son served in the American Army in Afghanistan and lost his best friend two weeks before their tour wa s up. No on knows the anxiety and worry for those serving and those at home...

I was born in Ardoyne

God bless and our sincere condolences to you and your family

Posted by Paul | 09.05.09, 17:12 GMT

Amanda, so sorry for your loss at such a young age. Thank you for the courage and bravery of Sean. I hope that people do not lose sight of the on-going price which is being paid on a daily basis, by brave young people like Sean and Amanda. In my prayers and thoughts.

Posted by Eileen | 09.05.09, 14:18 GMT

I shocked while heard this sad news, he is the Britain Afghan hero.
I pray for his soul.
Jalalzai

Posted by musa khan jalalzai | 09.05.09, 13:55 GMT

deepest sympathy to the binnie and wilson family at this sad time rest in peace sean our thoughts are with you all

Posted by lynn | 09.05.09, 12:57 GMT

deepest sympathy to all the family our thoughts are with you at this time r.i.p

Posted by lynn | 09.05.09, 12:32 GMT

God bless you Sean. R.I.P.

Posted by aa | 09.05.09, 10:56 GMT

Amanda, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. This is tragic and I can't begin to imagine what you are going through. Take pride in the fact that Sean was a brave and decent man doing something for the good of us all. I have nothing but respect and pride for him. I will be thinking of you all. Deepest sympathy. x

Posted by P Crowson | 09.05.09, 10:43 GMT

Rest In Peace. Very sad loss of someone so young, protecting all of us in the free world from tyranny. Prayers are with his wife and family. I am an ordinary NI catholic/nationalist, but one who cares about my neighbours lives and the values we share, than the extermists among us who would seek to drive us apart.

Ciaran

Posted by Ciaran | 08.05.09, 23:44 GMT