a young couple, a young son ...

Families at Edmonton Garrison badly shaken by death of soldier in Afghanistan
March 31, 2006

EDMONTON (CP) - They know the risk soldiers must take, but military families have been particularly shaken by the death of Pte. Robert Costall during a firefight in Afghanistan this week.

Everyone knows more such attacks are possible, Brig.-Gen. Tim Grant said Thursday. Insurgent activity is expected to increase over the spring and summer as improving weather makes it easier for Taliban forces to move. The prospect of more firefights is creating stress on the Edmonton Garrison.

"The level of apprehension among the families in Edmonton is really elevated. It is higher than I have seen on any mission before," said Grant, commander of Land Force Western Area.

For the moment, however, the enormity of her personal loss has gripped Chrissy Costall, who is only slowly coming to terms with her husband's death as family and friends do what they can. Costall also left behind their one-year-old son.

"She is going through an extremely difficult time dealing with the fact that her husband has been killed," said Grant, who spoke to the widow briefly. "A young couple with a young child. One can only imagine the difficulty she is going through right now."

Grant said three other Canadian soldiers wounded in the battle were members of a quick-response platoon called in to help when the forward operating base was attacked by several dozen Taliban fighters firing automatic weapons and grenade launchers.

Two of the wounded were being treated in Afghanistan and a third was to be looked after in a hospital in Germany. Their injuries were described as minor.

The names of those soldiers, all members of the 1st Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, were not released.

Many soldiers on the sprawling Edmonton base, the largest in Western Canada, have mixed feelings about the battle that took Costall's life.

While his death underscores the risks they face, many are itching to go overseas to help their comrades.

"Speaking to some of them, they wish they were over there with their buddies," Grant said. "They are looking forward to the time that they can deploy. That is what they joined for."

The military will not release details of the circumstances of Costall's death.

Two separate probes have been launched by Canadian and United States military investigators to piece together what happened.

A U.S. serviceman and at least eight Afghan National Army soldiers also died in the battle at the base about 110 kilometres from Kandahar city.

Grant said the ferocity of the attack may be the Taliban's way of sending a message to coalition countries that they are determined to retake Afghanistan.

The general said the performance of Canadian soldiers during the firefight should also tell the insurgents something.

"The casualties on the Taliban side were significant," Grant said. "It will send a message to the Taliban that Canadian soldiers are truly professional. That will make them rethink why they would attack coalition forces."

Costall's body is expected to be flown to Canada by the weekend. Funeral arrangements were pending.