1558:
89:
831:, announced in the Operational Honours and Awards list of 24 September 2010. This was for his outstanding leadership during one particular ambush during his first Afghan tour. While his unit were providing protection for a team clearing IEDs from a road, they came under significant enemy attack pinning some of his men down. He drew enemy fire three times in order to expose their positions, so that his unit could return accurate fire.
801:, with eight soldiers and an interpreter in the cabin below, when the IED exploded directly beneath the vehicle. While there were no resultant deaths, the force of the blast was sufficient to snap machine gun barrels, and rendered the vehicle beyond use. Once the area was secured and the vehicle recovered, the platoon had the night off, before returning to patrols the next day.
1643:
565:
After serving his apprenticeship with
Swansea City, he signed a two-year professional contract with the club. Having signed at age 19, he played for around three years, before suffering a series of injuries in the space of 6 months. He played in
1638:
1498:
797:(Protected Patrol Vehicle). According to Healey there were around 12 Mastiffs in the convoy moving through a sparse village area, with no outward signs an IED attack was imminent. Healey was seated in the
1648:
1633:
854:
following the tour. Speaking in 2010, he stated he wanted a full career in the Army, intending to stay for at least 12 years. He continued to play football, occasionally turning out for the
804:
Having returned from
Afghanistan, in Summer 2010, Healey and another Lieutenant led a group of 26 soldiers of 1 WELSH on a 224 miles (360 km) charity run across Wales, starting in
1349:
634:
By 15 May 2002, out of the trio of first year professionals of Draper, Healey and O'Sullivan, only Draper had made any first team appearances when all three players; along with
1668:
1598:
674:
After being released by
Swansea, Healey decided he was not likely to have a long career in football, and decided to quit the game and resume his education. He entered
1078:
859:
1401:
1312:
1115:
1583:
1506:
1450:
1427:
1375:
922:
851:
172:
131:
1623:
236:. He chose a career in the game against the advice of his school teachers, who wanted him to take the education route. He first served a two-year
1653:
1613:
782:, which became Healey's first tour to the country. The tour ran from December 2009 to April 2010, and latterly saw the battalion contribute to
771:
153:
1618:
1608:
1588:
1603:
1593:
1663:
578:
1658:
1628:
870:
813:
658:, as he was facing budget constraints and a need to refresh the squad with more experienced players more suited to playing in the
742:
710:
589:
483:
567:
346:
1261:
659:
746:
1231:
1201:
1171:
1141:
624:
588:, Healey was expected to sign his first professional contract with the club on 17 May 2001, along with fellow trainees
902:
790:
601:
201:
1472:
737:
would be his new career path. Having recovered from his sporting injuries, he joined the Army in 2007. Choosing the
855:
651:
1319:
763:
the 1st
Battalion (Royal Welch Fusiliers) of the Royal Welsh regiment (1 WELSH), Healey was based in his native
1046:
701:
Between 2002 and 2006, Healey continued to play football in the semi-professional League of Wales (renamed the
635:
654:, all were released from their contracts by the club. The players were released by Cusack, by now the club's
847:
828:
163:
954:
His funeral service, with full military honours, was held on 15 June at St Cadoc's Roman
Catholic Church,
738:
182:
933:
863:
706:
546:
465:
1578:
1573:
948:
940:
890:
817:
702:
320:
233:
229:
205:
190:
68:
1287:
783:
705:
from 2002 to 2003), continuing with
Llanelli for another season, then playing for two seasons with
409:
366:
245:
241:
194:
939:
platoon where he was responsible for
Checkpoint Langar as part of Combined Force Burma within the
718:
714:
687:
683:
513:
498:
1552:
1005:
877:
on exercise Askari
Thunder. The 1st Battalion redeployed to Afghanistan in early March 2012 on
926:
910:
878:
843:
821:
775:
1050:
794:
779:
675:
117:
722:
691:
643:
628:
616:
528:
447:
428:
1557:
232:
was a key part of his early life and Healey aspired as a child to become a professional
936:
757:
695:
679:
655:
237:
94:
1567:
663:
620:
597:
1528:
918:
914:
835:
734:
593:
585:
179:
106:
898:
750:
612:
574:
328:
213:
186:
142:
76:
955:
839:
798:
647:
639:
1239:
1209:
1179:
1149:
906:
760:
1350:"Afghanistan: A gruelling campaign, a tender tribute and moments of humour"
974:
753:
789:
In
January 2010, while leading a vehicle convoy Healey survived a first
678:
as a slightly older student (i.e. not yet old enough to be classed as a
1644:
British military personnel killed in the War in
Afghanistan (2001–2021)
1079:"Ex-footballer turned soldier survives roadside bomb attack in Helmand"
944:
894:
809:
805:
764:
324:
297:
249:
225:
209:
72:
51:
662:. Other players released that summer were Ben Davies, James Fox and
874:
917:
where he was confirmed dead on arrival. He died 78 days into the
881:, and it was during this mobilisation that Healey was killed.
1639:
British Army personnel of the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)
816:, which was being held in the city. It raised funds for the
611:
By 16 March 2002, with the club in the temporary charge of
608:
as the energetic heart of the defence, in a 5–1 away win.
951:
to be killed since operations commenced in October 2001.
921:
having arrived in the country on 9 March 2012 as part of
1428:"Operational Honours and Awards List: 24 September 2010"
1402:"Mystery man's £500 salute to troops on fundraising run"
1376:"Soldiers on their marks for race to help hurt comrades"
1344:
1342:
1340:
756:
specifically due to his Welsh origins. Attached to the
869:
In February 2011 Healey trained with the battalion in
1307:
1305:
1037:
1035:
1033:
1031:
1029:
1027:
1025:
1023:
1649:
Deaths by improvised explosive device in Afghanistan
1499:"Captain Stephen James Healey killed in Afghanistan"
1451:"Captain Stephen James Healey killed in Afghanistan"
540:
525:
510:
495:
477:
459:
441:
421:
403:
377:
372:
357:
352:
342:
334:
316:
304:
293:
278:
270:
265:
159:
149:
137:
127:
112:
100:
82:
58:
38:
30:
23:
733:Whilst at university, Healey had decided that the
1634:Graduates of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
1288:"Welsh Premier career details for Stephen Healey"
1116:"Ex Swans player looks forward to Helmand return"
1073:
1071:
1069:
1067:
1065:
1063:
1061:
1059:
189:(Royal Welch Fusiliers), and former professional
1172:"Gulf in class tells after Swans' early setback"
1000:
998:
996:
1110:
1108:
1106:
1104:
1102:
1100:
1098:
1096:
1053:, 14 April 2010, p. 82. Retrieved 8 March 2011.
824:, and their colleagues injured in Afghanistan.
1313:"Garden Village Player Profiles – 2010 / 2011"
858:. In Summer 2010, he joined the Swansea-based
1529:"Killed British Soldier 'Lived Life To Full'"
178:(19 September 1982 – 26 May 2012) was a
8:
1262:"Club Guide Division Three Summer Transfers"
778:, in 2009 the 1st Battalion was deployed to
260:
1318:. Garden Village A.F.C. n.d. Archived from
604:, Healey was singled out for praise by the
559:*Club domestic league appearances and goals
1556:
1232:"Cusack's 'hardest day' releasing players"
932:Before his death he was in command of the
387:
259:
20:
820:, the visually imparied soldiers charity
698:based on his experience as a footballer.
1669:Cardiff Grange Harlequins A.F.C. players
1430:. Ministry of Defence. 24 September 2010
745:in Berkshire, England. He chose to join
224:Healey was born on 19 September 1982 in
1473:"MOD announces Op Herrick 16 roulement"
966:
1081:. Ministry of Defence. 2 February 2010
901:, when his vehicle was blown up by an
7:
1599:Men's association football defenders
909:on scene, before being flown to the
395:
975:"Afghanistan casualty named by MoD"
741:career path, he first attended the
860:Welsh Football League Division One
14:
947:. He was the 415th member of the
873:in preparation for their tour to
812:on 26 June, crossing the line on
338:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
204:on routine vehicle patrol in the
743:Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
619:, Healey and Draper were out on
87:
1584:Military personnel from Cardiff
1356:. Media Wales. 14 December 2010
1208:. 16 March 2002. Archived from
1178:. 8 August 2001. Archived from
581:season, Healey wore number 21.
1624:Barry Town United F.C. players
1:
1654:Garden Village A.F.C. players
1614:Port Talbot Town F.C. players
1505:. 27 May 2012. Archived from
1238:. 15 May 2002. Archived from
1148:. 17 May 2001. Archived from
838:of Afghanistan, Healey was a
1619:Bridgend Town A.F.C. players
1609:Llanelli Town A.F.C. players
1589:Alumni of Swansea University
889:Healey was on patrol in the
808:on 22 June and finishing in
185:with the 1st Battalion, The
1604:Swansea City A.F.C. players
1290:. Welsh Premier League. n.d
903:improvised explosive device
791:improvised explosive device
749:for the challenge, and the
202:improvised explosive device
1685:
1664:Goytre United F.C. players
682:). Despite not having any
584:Under the Swansea manager
1202:"It's down to you, boys!"
934:1st Battalion Royal Welsh
871:Sennybridge Training Area
711:Cardiff Grange Harlequins
600:on 8 August 2001 against
570:as a 6-foot 2 inch tall,
558:
484:Cardiff Grange Harlequins
365:
345:
337:
319:
307:
296:
281:
273:
1659:Footballers from Cardiff
1629:The Royal Welsh officers
1453:. UK Ministry of Defence
1047:The Royal British Legion
1594:Welsh men's footballers
145:(Royal Welsh Fusiliers)
1449:Operations, Military.
1041:"It happened to me",
1008:. FootballSquads. n.d
1006:"Swansea City 2001/2"
923:12 Mechanised Brigade
850:. He was promoted to
846:of the battalion's B
829:Mention in Despatches
713:. He also played for
164:Mention in Despatches
113:Years of service
1142:"Thinking over deal"
949:British Armed Forces
941:Nahri Saraj District
891:Nahri Saraj District
818:Army Benevolent Fund
793:(IED) attack on his
703:Welsh Premier League
602:Haverfordwest County
321:Nahri Saraj District
274:Stephen James Healey
266:Personal information
206:Nahri Saraj District
200:He was killed by an
176:Stephen James Healey
69:Nahri Saraj District
34:Stephen James Healey
16:British Army soldier
1406:This is South Wales
1380:This is South Wales
1266:The Daily Telegraph
1120:This is South Wales
784:Operation Moshtarak
709:and one season for
262:
141:1st Battalion, The
1509:on 26 October 2012
1122:. 25 February 2011
827:Healey received a
772:War in Afghanistan
767:, in south Wales.
688:Swansea University
596:. In a pre-season
216:, on 26 May 2012.
154:War in Afghanistan
1479:. 7 February 2012
1051:Summer 2010 issue
911:military hospital
844:platoon commander
563:
562:
289:19 September 1982
170:
169:
49:19 September 1982
1676:
1560:
1541:
1540:
1538:
1536:
1525:
1519:
1518:
1516:
1514:
1495:
1489:
1488:
1486:
1484:
1469:
1463:
1462:
1460:
1458:
1446:
1440:
1439:
1437:
1435:
1424:
1418:
1417:
1415:
1413:
1398:
1392:
1391:
1389:
1387:
1372:
1366:
1365:
1363:
1361:
1346:
1335:
1334:
1332:
1330:
1324:
1317:
1309:
1300:
1299:
1297:
1295:
1284:
1278:
1277:
1275:
1273:
1258:
1252:
1251:
1249:
1247:
1228:
1222:
1221:
1219:
1217:
1198:
1192:
1191:
1189:
1187:
1168:
1162:
1161:
1159:
1157:
1138:
1132:
1131:
1129:
1127:
1112:
1091:
1090:
1088:
1086:
1075:
1054:
1039:
1018:
1017:
1015:
1013:
1002:
991:
990:
988:
986:
971:
814:Armed Forces Day
780:Helmand Province
707:Port Talbot Town
690:accepted him on
676:higher education
670:Higher education
590:Chris O'Sullivan
573:
543:
480:
466:Port Talbot Town
462:
444:
424:
406:
397:
389:
363:
361:
311:
288:
286:
263:
166:(September 2010)
122:
102:
93:
91:
90:
65:
48:
46:
21:
1684:
1683:
1679:
1678:
1677:
1675:
1674:
1673:
1564:
1563:
1549:
1544:
1534:
1532:
1527:
1526:
1522:
1512:
1510:
1497:
1496:
1492:
1482:
1480:
1471:
1470:
1466:
1456:
1454:
1448:
1447:
1443:
1433:
1431:
1426:
1425:
1421:
1411:
1409:
1400:
1399:
1395:
1385:
1383:
1374:
1373:
1369:
1359:
1357:
1348:
1347:
1338:
1328:
1326:
1325:on 20 July 2011
1322:
1315:
1311:
1310:
1303:
1293:
1291:
1286:
1285:
1281:
1271:
1269:
1268:. 7 August 2002
1260:
1259:
1255:
1245:
1243:
1242:on 20 July 2011
1230:
1229:
1225:
1215:
1213:
1212:on 20 July 2011
1200:
1199:
1195:
1185:
1183:
1182:on 20 July 2011
1170:
1169:
1165:
1155:
1153:
1152:on 20 July 2011
1140:
1139:
1135:
1125:
1123:
1114:
1113:
1094:
1084:
1082:
1077:
1076:
1057:
1040:
1021:
1011:
1009:
1004:
1003:
994:
984:
982:
973:
972:
968:
964:
905:. He was given
887:
770:As part of the
731:
729:Military career
672:
644:Jonathan Coates
625:League of Wales
617:Roger Freestone
571:
541:
478:
460:
442:
422:
404:
359:
358:
309:
284:
282:
258:
256:Football career
246:Football League
222:
118:
116:2007–2012
88:
86:
67:
63:
50:
44:
42:
26:
17:
12:
11:
5:
1682:
1680:
1672:
1671:
1666:
1661:
1656:
1651:
1646:
1641:
1636:
1631:
1626:
1621:
1616:
1611:
1606:
1601:
1596:
1591:
1586:
1581:
1576:
1566:
1565:
1562:
1561:
1555:at Soccerbase
1553:Stephen Healey
1548:
1547:External links
1545:
1543:
1542:
1520:
1490:
1464:
1441:
1419:
1393:
1382:. 21 June 2010
1367:
1336:
1301:
1279:
1253:
1223:
1193:
1163:
1133:
1092:
1055:
1019:
992:
965:
963:
960:
937:reconnaissance
886:
883:
864:Garden Village
856:full army team
758:light infantry
730:
727:
696:sports science
680:mature student
671:
668:
660:Third Division
656:player-manager
561:
560:
556:
555:
552:
549:
547:Garden Village
544:
538:
537:
534:
531:
526:
523:
522:
519:
516:
511:
508:
507:
504:
501:
496:
493:
492:
489:
486:
481:
475:
474:
471:
468:
463:
457:
456:
453:
450:
445:
439:
438:
435:
432:
425:
419:
418:
415:
412:
407:
401:
400:
391:
384:
379:
375:
374:
373:Senior career*
370:
369:
364:
355:
354:
350:
349:
344:
340:
339:
336:
332:
331:
318:
317:Place of death
314:
313:
312:(aged 29)
306:
302:
301:
295:
294:Place of birth
291:
290:
280:
276:
275:
272:
268:
267:
261:Stephen Healey
257:
254:
248:club based in
238:apprenticeship
221:
218:
168:
167:
161:
157:
156:
151:
147:
146:
139:
135:
134:
129:
125:
124:
114:
110:
109:
104:
98:
97:
95:United Kingdom
84:
80:
79:
66:(aged 29)
60:
56:
55:
40:
36:
35:
32:
28:
27:
25:Stephen Healey
24:
15:
13:
10:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
1681:
1670:
1667:
1665:
1662:
1660:
1657:
1655:
1652:
1650:
1647:
1645:
1642:
1640:
1637:
1635:
1632:
1630:
1627:
1625:
1622:
1620:
1617:
1615:
1612:
1610:
1607:
1605:
1602:
1600:
1597:
1595:
1592:
1590:
1587:
1585:
1582:
1580:
1577:
1575:
1572:
1571:
1569:
1559:
1554:
1551:
1550:
1546:
1530:
1524:
1521:
1508:
1504:
1500:
1494:
1491:
1478:
1474:
1468:
1465:
1452:
1445:
1442:
1429:
1423:
1420:
1408:. 3 July 2010
1407:
1403:
1397:
1394:
1381:
1377:
1371:
1368:
1355:
1351:
1345:
1343:
1341:
1337:
1321:
1314:
1308:
1306:
1302:
1289:
1283:
1280:
1267:
1263:
1257:
1254:
1241:
1237:
1233:
1227:
1224:
1211:
1207:
1203:
1197:
1194:
1181:
1177:
1173:
1167:
1164:
1151:
1147:
1143:
1137:
1134:
1121:
1117:
1111:
1109:
1107:
1105:
1103:
1101:
1099:
1097:
1093:
1080:
1074:
1072:
1070:
1068:
1066:
1064:
1062:
1060:
1056:
1052:
1048:
1044:
1038:
1036:
1034:
1032:
1030:
1028:
1026:
1024:
1020:
1007:
1001:
999:
997:
993:
981:. 27 May 2012
980:
976:
970:
967:
961:
959:
957:
952:
950:
946:
942:
938:
935:
930:
928:
927:OP Herrick 16
924:
920:
916:
912:
908:
904:
900:
896:
892:
884:
882:
880:
879:OP Herrick 16
876:
872:
867:
865:
861:
857:
853:
849:
845:
842:, serving as
841:
837:
834:On his first
832:
830:
825:
823:
819:
815:
811:
807:
802:
800:
796:
792:
787:
785:
781:
777:
776:OP Herrick 11
773:
768:
766:
762:
759:
755:
752:
748:
744:
740:
736:
728:
726:
724:
720:
719:Goytre United
716:
715:Bridgend Town
712:
708:
704:
699:
697:
693:
689:
685:
681:
677:
669:
667:
665:
664:Mamady Sidibe
661:
657:
653:
649:
645:
641:
637:
632:
630:
626:
622:
618:
614:
609:
607:
603:
599:
595:
591:
587:
582:
580:
576:
569:
557:
553:
550:
548:
545:
539:
535:
532:
530:
527:
524:
520:
517:
515:
514:Goytre United
512:
509:
505:
502:
500:
499:Bridgend Town
497:
494:
490:
487:
485:
482:
476:
472:
469:
467:
464:
458:
454:
451:
449:
446:
440:
436:
433:
430:
426:
420:
416:
413:
411:
408:
402:
399:
392:
390:
385:
383:
380:
376:
371:
368:
356:
351:
348:
341:
333:
330:
326:
322:
315:
305:Date of death
303:
299:
292:
279:Date of birth
277:
269:
264:
255:
253:
251:
247:
243:
239:
235:
231:
227:
219:
217:
215:
211:
207:
203:
198:
196:
192:
188:
184:
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177:
174:
165:
162:
158:
155:
152:
148:
144:
140:
136:
133:
130:
126:
123:
121:
115:
111:
108:
105:
99:
96:
85:
81:
78:
74:
70:
61:
57:
53:
41:
37:
33:
29:
22:
19:
1533:. Retrieved
1523:
1511:. Retrieved
1507:the original
1502:
1493:
1481:. Retrieved
1476:
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1206:Evening Post
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978:
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915:Camp Bastion
888:
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803:
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769:
747:the infantry
735:British Army
732:
700:
673:
652:Steve Brodie
633:
610:
606:Evening Post
605:
594:Craig Draper
586:John Hollins
583:
564:
410:Swansea City
393:
386:
381:
367:Swansea City
353:Youth career
310:(2012-05-26)
242:Swansea City
223:
199:
195:Swansea City
180:British Army
175:
171:
150:Battles/wars
119:
107:British Army
64:(2012-05-26)
18:
1579:2012 deaths
1574:1982 births
899:Afghanistan
795:Mastiff PPV
751:Royal Welsh
636:Jason Jones
613:Nick Cusack
575:centre back
343:Position(s)
329:Afghanistan
308:26 May 2012
214:Afghanistan
187:Royal Welsh
143:Royal Welsh
77:Afghanistan
62:26 May 2012
54:, Wales, UK
1568:Categories
1531:. Sky News
962:References
956:Llanrumney
897:province,
840:lieutenant
799:gun turret
723:Barry Town
694:course in
648:Ryan Casey
640:Chris Todd
577:. For the
529:Barry Town
285:1982-09-19
234:footballer
220:Early life
212:province,
191:footballer
83:Allegiance
45:1982-09-19
31:Birth name
907:first aid
761:battalion
542:2010–2012
479:2005–2006
461:2003–2005
443:2002–2003
423:2001–2002
405:2001–2002
271:Full name
252:, Wales.
228:, Wales.
754:regiment
684:A-Levels
629:Llanelli
598:friendly
448:Llanelli
429:Llanelli
347:Defender
230:Football
101:Service/
1434:6 March
1412:9 March
1386:9 March
1360:6 March
1329:9 March
1294:9 March
1272:5 March
1246:9 March
1216:9 March
1186:9 March
1156:9 March
1126:5 March
1085:6 March
1012:5 March
945:Gereshk
895:Helmand
852:captain
848:Company
810:Cardiff
806:Chester
765:Cardiff
739:officer
623:to the
579:2001–02
568:defence
325:Helmand
300:, Wales
298:Cardiff
250:Swansea
226:Cardiff
210:Helmand
183:officer
173:Captain
132:Captain
120:†
73:Helmand
52:Cardiff
1535:27 May
1513:27 May
1503:UK MOD
1483:27 May
1457:27 May
1043:Legion
985:27 May
692:degree
572:150 lb
431:(loan)
362:?–2001
335:Height
160:Awards
103:branch
92:
1323:(PDF)
1316:(PDF)
943:near
885:Death
875:Kenya
862:team
627:side
378:Years
240:with
1537:2012
1515:2012
1485:2012
1477:BFBS
1459:2012
1436:2011
1414:2011
1388:2011
1362:2011
1331:2011
1296:2011
1274:2011
1248:2011
1218:2011
1188:2011
1158:2011
1128:2011
1087:2011
1014:2011
987:2012
919:tour
836:tour
721:and
650:and
621:loan
615:and
592:and
388:Apps
382:Team
244:, a
193:for
138:Unit
128:Rank
59:Died
39:Born
1049:),
979:BBC
925:on
913:at
893:of
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