News

Second Durham University graduate soldier’s death in Iraq

(30 May 2006)

A Durham University college has learned with great sadness that a second recent graduate has died while serving with the Army in Iraq.

Lt Tom Mildinhall (26), a student in 1999-2002 at Durham University’s College of St Hild & St Bede, was one of two members of the Queen's Dragoon Guards (The Welsh Cavalry), killed by a roadside bomb at the weekend on a routine patrol in Basra. His death came just six weeks after the death of Lt Richard Palmer, who graduated from the college in 2003. They were members of the same college tutor group and knew each other. In a tribute, Dr Alan Pearson, the Principal of the College of St Hild & St Bede, said: “This is dreadful news for Tom Mildinhall’s family and friends, and for all who knew him at the College. Our sympathy goes out to them. Tom was a very likeable and valued member of the College and a very popular person in this tight-knit community. Coming so soon after the death of Lt Palmer, it is a doubly sad time for the College.” Tom Mildinhall was an accomplished rower and ski instructor. He rowed for the College 1st Eight, the University 2nd Eight and attended international trials. He was also a musician who played saxophone and piano. He studied Artificial Intelligence in the University’s Department of Computer Science and gained a BSc. Tom's brother, John, also studied at Durham, gaining a BA in Psychology at Collingwood College in 2003.