'I watched my twin die in Iraq'

**Adam** · 22nd August 2007, 09:25 AM

Sad story

Corporal Will Rigby, right, with his twin, Corporal John Rigby

Corporal Will Rigby will never forget his 24th birthday. It was the day he held his identical twin's hand for 10 hours and watched him die.

Both brothers had been serving in Iraq when on 22 June, John, also a corporal, was seriously injured in a roadside bomb in southern Iraq.

He was taken to Basra military hospital but the prognosis was bleak.

Will first knew what had happened when he was woken by his platoon commander.

He hastily packed a few things and was flown to the hospital.

I came into this world with John and 24 years to the day, he left us

Corporal William Rigby

"Once I was shown the CAT scans... I knew it was only a matter of time before John was going to leave us," Will told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

The brothers from Rye, in East Sussex, were both in the 4th Battalion The Rifles.

Although working in different teams, they were able to catch up over a cup of tea several times a day.

Will spent the next 10 hours at John's bedside, with some close friends, reminiscing about old times and even sharing the odd joke.

Corporal John Rigby suffered serious head injuries

"I'm certain he was hearing what I was saying and was with us at the time," says Will.

Every half hour, Will would call his father, Doug Rigby, back in the UK to update him on John's condition.

"It's a great comfort to me to have been by John's bedside when he passed away," says Will.

"I came into this world with John and 24 years to the day, he left us."
For his father, it was a very different experience.

"Two Army personnel arrived at the gate - we live in a very remote location. In an odd way, I had been half expecting it. I absolutely cannot explain why.

"They came in, we drank tea and I smoked more than I should have done, in a state of complete bewilderment."

"John was very, very special.

"He was an absolutely cracking bloke - everybody thought so. As a son, absolutely tremendous."

Corporal Will Rigby follows the coffin at his brother's funeral

Now Doug Rigby is facing the prospect of his other son, Will, returning to Iraq, where John became one of the 163 UK troops so far killed in Iraq.

"We are steeled for the possibility he will go back.. and we will support him."
For Will, it has been a decision requiring a great deal of thought.

"It became very apparent to me and John when we arrived the good that the British soldiers are doing in Iraq.

"As soldiers on the ground, we are making a difference, slowly but surely, to the people of Iraq

"I have a job to do and I am a serving soldier. Where they say, I go. When I feel ready, I shall go back."

Crypt Keeper(CK) · 22nd August 2007, 09:58 AM

Strength and Honor John, Strength and Honor friend!

Rascal · 22nd August 2007, 12:22 PM

So sad

**DiP** · 22nd August 2007, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crypt Keeper(CK)

Strength and Honor John, Strength and Honor friend!

*Salutes*

**Solidchrome** · 22nd August 2007, 12:32 PM

God bless him his family.

**kingtony** · 22nd August 2007, 12:49 PM

he is in everyones prayes for him and his family

**Adri** · 22nd August 2007, 07:55 PM

**Baldguy** · 22nd August 2007, 08:28 PM

Brave lad to return, brave lads to volunteer. *prays*

Decardo Imier · 23rd August 2007, 05:51 AM

Reminded me of the film Saving private Ryan

Santi · 23rd August 2007, 09:08 AM

That is a sad thing.

22nd August 2007, 09:25 AM	#1
Adam Lead Administrator Owner Join Date: Oct 1990 Posts: 5,273 Thanks: 36 Thanked 312 Times in 112 Posts	'I watched my twin die in Iraq' Sad story Corporal Will Rigby, right, with his twin, Corporal John Rigby Corporal Will Rigby will never forget his 24th birthday. It was the day he held his identical twin's hand for 10 hours and watched him die. Both brothers had been serving in Iraq when on 22 June, John, also a corporal, was seriously injured in a roadside bomb in southern Iraq. He was taken to Basra military hospital but the prognosis was bleak. Will first knew what had happened when he was woken by his platoon commander. He hastily packed a few things and was flown to the hospital. I came into this world with John and 24 years to the day, he left us Corporal William Rigby "Once I was shown the CAT scans... I knew it was only a matter of time before John was going to leave us," Will told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. The brothers from Rye, in East Sussex, were both in the 4th Battalion The Rifles. Although working in different teams, they were able to catch up over a cup of tea several times a day. Will spent the next 10 hours at John's bedside, with some close friends, reminiscing about old times and even sharing the odd joke. Corporal John Rigby suffered serious head injuries "I'm certain he was hearing what I was saying and was with us at the time," says Will. Every half hour, Will would call his father, Doug Rigby, back in the UK to update him on John's condition. "It's a great comfort to me to have been by John's bedside when he passed away," says Will. "I came into this world with John and 24 years to the day, he left us." For his father, it was a very different experience. "Two Army personnel arrived at the gate - we live in a very remote location. In an odd way, I had been half expecting it. I absolutely cannot explain why. "They came in, we drank tea and I smoked more than I should have done, in a state of complete bewilderment." "John was very, very special. "He was an absolutely cracking bloke - everybody thought so. As a son, absolutely tremendous." Corporal Will Rigby follows the coffin at his brother's funeral Now Doug Rigby is facing the prospect of his other son, Will, returning to Iraq, where John became one of the 163 UK troops so far killed in Iraq. "We are steeled for the possibility he will go back.. and we will support him." For Will, it has been a decision requiring a great deal of thought. "It became very apparent to me and John when we arrived the good that the British soldiers are doing in Iraq. "As soldiers on the ground, we are making a difference, slowly but surely, to the people of Iraq "I have a job to do and I am a serving soldier. Where they say, I go. When I feel ready, I shall go back."

22nd August 2007, 09:58 AM	#2
Crypt Keeper(CK) Guildmaster of ATD, Defender of Paxlair! Join Date: Nov 2006 Shard: Sonoma, Chesapeake Posts: 652 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: 'I watched my twin die in Iraq' Strength and Honor John, Strength and Honor friend! __________________

22nd August 2007, 12:22 PM	#3
Rascal Madam of Mayhem Join Date: Sep 2006 Shard: Lake Austin Posts: 1,550 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: 'I watched my twin die in Iraq' So sad __________________

22nd August 2007, 12:32 PM	#5
Solidchrome † Virtual hero- real life geek † Join Date: Jul 2007 Shard: europa Posts: 963 Thanks: 34 Thanked 56 Times in 26 Posts	Re: 'I watched my twin die in Iraq' God bless him his family. __________________ [UO Tech Forum] UOForums Need Your Donations- Click Here

22nd August 2007, 12:49 PM	#6
kingtony How do you tell when you run out of invisible ink? Join Date: Jan 2007 Shard: alantic Posts: 2,663 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: 'I watched my twin die in Iraq' he is in everyones prayes for him and his family __________________ For to win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the acme of skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the acme of skill.

22nd August 2007, 07:55 PM	#7
Adri Wearing metal panties in a lightning storm Join Date: May 2004 Shard: Pacific/Landroval Posts: 3,509 Thanks: 94 Thanked 43 Times in 30 Posts Awards Showcase Total Awards: 2	Re: 'I watched my twin die in Iraq' __________________ We are all broken and wounded in this world. Some choose to grow strong at the broken places. --Harold J. Duarte-Bernhardt Thanks to Atlas for the fantastic sig!

22nd August 2007, 08:28 PM	#8
Baldguy AKA Thom O'Bedlam. Got a Question? I got a link for ya! Join Date: May 2004 Shard: Lake Austin Posts: 2,392 Thanks: 1 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Re: 'I watched my twin die in Iraq' Brave lad to return, brave lads to volunteer. prays __________________ Useful links [UO:F Common FAQ] [UO Stratics] [UO Guide] [Official UO Play Guide] [Search UO] [FindUO.com] [UO Feedback] [More Links, gathered by the Forum] [b][size="3"]Got a Question, or a great answer? PM me with it and I will post in the FAQ.

23rd August 2007, 05:51 AM	#9
Decardo Imier Knight of the Balance Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,080 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: 'I watched my twin die in Iraq' Reminded me of the film Saving private Ryan __________________ Life is the Dance and Honor, the Dance is Death to those we oppose, Honor is our salvation. Without Honor the Dance is meaningless forms and we are nothing.

23rd August 2007, 09:08 AM	#10
Santi El Mero Mero Join Date: Apr 2004 Shard: Legends Posts: 592 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: 'I watched my twin die in Iraq' That is a sad thing. __________________ If you don't eat your meat you can't have any pudding. How can you have any pudding if you don't eat your meat?!

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