Canadian Private Andrew Miller dies fighting the enemy in Afghanistan

Monday, 28 June 2010 10:24

Written by Alan Rogers

Pte. Andrew Miller, 21, was attached to a unit that was on its way to deal with a mine that had been found in the doorway of a home when the vehicle he was in detonated an improvised explosive device.

Pte. Andrew Miller was a medical technician attached to the 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group.

The incident occurred at 11 a.m. about 20 kilometres southwest of Kandahar City.

“Although we cannot say for certain that these medical personnel were targeted deliberately, it is for certain that the threat to Afghans stemming from the influence of out of area fighters at this time of year is very serious,” said Brigadier-General Jonathan Vance, the commander of Task Force Kandahar.

“Medical technicians are indispensible to the work being done by Canadian and Afghan soldiers. They participate in every Canadian Forces patrol and operation,” Brig.-Gen. Vance said.

“It is because of their dedicated and skilful work, often under fire, that many Canadian, coalition, and Afghan soldiers and civilians are alive today.”

Pte. Andrew Miller was born in Sudbury, Ont. A member of 2 Field Ambulance, based at CFB Petawawa, he was serving on his first overseas deployment.

Brig.-Gen. Vance said Pte. Miller will be remembered as someone who would give his fellow soldiers the shirt off his back and was always the first to volunteer.

“Andrew was very confident in both his soldier and clinical skills. He wanted nothing more than to be part of the Health Services Unit for ROTO 9, in Afghanistan, so that he could put his skills to the test,” he said.

“Called Caillou by his friends – everyone acknowledged the resemblance as soon as they met him.”

As of today, Canada has lost 150 soldiers in the war in Afghanistan since 2002.

We at Oye! Times humbly pay our respect to Pte. Andrew Miller's family and the loved ones he left behind.

Please leave a comment or condolences for our fallen soldier.