AN OBITUARY


Nigel Loring was commissioned into the Regiment from Sandhurst in December 1968, and joined the 2 LI in Berlin early the following year. He was posted to the Depot in 1970.

He returned to 2 LI when they seemed to be spending longer in Northern Ireland than in Colchester (abt 1972). In 1974 he was seconded to The Sultan of Oman's Force and joined the Jebel Regiment.

On 6 January 1975 whilst leading an advance across open ground he and his Company came under accurate and heavy machine gun fire from enemy positions from his front and flank. He led the few men of his leading group forward to some cover, and despite being under heavy and continuous fire, set about organising fire back against the enemy position. Shortly afterwards he was shot and killed.

Shortly after his death, His Majesty The Sultan of Oman posthumously awarded Nigel the Bravery Medal. This medal was only awarded to a small number of Officers and Soldiers each year for courage of the highest order.


He also recieved the Dhofar Clasp and General Service Medal


Citation for the Bravery Medal


Captain Loring was commanding 2 Company of the Jebel Regiment on the operation against the enemy at Sherishitti on 6 January 1975. At 13.30 hrs his company came under fire whilst crossing an area of open ground to the West of the Wadi Sherishitti.

He was leading the advance with the leading platoon. During the contact most of the soldiers in the leading platoon were pinned down in the open ground and many were either killed or wounded. Captain Loring despite himself being wounded re-organised those who were still alive and within a few minutes was personally leading the advance towards the known enemy positions.

As the party lead by Captain Loring reached the high ground to the west of the Wadi they came under heavy fire from an enemy group hidden in the Wadi. Captain Loring was killed instantly at point blank range.

Captain Loring had been extremely brave in previous contacts in the Central area and had on many occasions shown complete disregard for personal safety.

The action of getting the point platoon on their feet whilst under fire and advancing across open ground was a most gallant action, and he showed leadership and bravery of the highest order.

Plaque at the Christian Cemetery in Muscat


Nigel's body was never recovered and in his memory a small plaque has been fixed to one of the gateposts of the Christian Cemetary in Muscat. It reads as follows:


'In memory of Captain N.C.T. Loring, WB.,
2nd Light Infantry
26-2-49 to 6-1-75
Killed in action serving with Jebel Regiment'


A truly brave Light Infantry Officer.


CEDE NULLIS


May he rest in peace