British army officer dies during live fire training in Northumberland

"A British army officer has died after an incident during live fire training in Northumberland, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed. Capt Philip Gilbert Muldowney, 25, died on Sunday after the incident at Otterburn Training Area, one of the UK's largest army training ranges. The officer served as a fire support commander in the 4th Regiment Royal Artillery. The MoD said Muldowney was an immensely enthusiastic officer who embraced life with a vigour that inspired those around him."

"Muldowney joined the army on 5 January 2020 and was commissioned into the Royal Artillery in December that year after attending the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. An army spokesperson said: The circumstances surrounding Capt Muldowney's death are being investigated, and it would be inappropriate to comment any further at this time. The officer had served in multiple roles across the force, including being deployed to Estonia in November 2021. He was seriously injured while undertaking a commando course at Lympstone, East Devon, in January 2025."

"Commanding officer of the 4th Regiment Royal Artillery, Lt Col Henry Waller, said: It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of Capt Philip Gilbert Muldowney. Always full of ideas and never without a bright smile, Gilbert approached every challenge wholeheartedly, whether in camp or out in the field. Waller described Muldowney as an outstanding officer who consistently put his soldiers first, adding that he was a rising star within the army and the regiment."

Capt Philip Gilbert Muldowney, 25, died following an incident during live fire training at Otterburn Training Area in Northumberland. He served as a fire support commander in the 4th Regiment Royal Artillery and joined the army on 5 January 2020, commissioning into the Royal Artillery in December 2020 after attending the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. He had been deployed to Estonia in November 2021 and was seriously injured on a commando course at Lympstone in January 2025, later pausing to rehabilitate before completing the fire support team commanders' course. The circumstances of his death are under investigation and colleagues paid tribute to his leadership and character.

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