THE three Guyana Defence Force (GDF) soldiers who died, on April 30, when a stack of pyrotechnics exploded at the army’s Base Camp Stephenson, Timehri, at approximately 09:00 hrs, are being buried according to military rites.

The soldiers who perished in the blast were Lance Corporal (L/Cpl) Tooney Peneux, L/Cpl Kevin Nicholson, 23, of Levi Dam, Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam and Private Shaqueel De Harte, 20, of Paradise Village, West Coast Berbice (WCB), while Sergeant (Sgt) Quincy Threfall, 43, of Hopetown, WCB and L/Cpl Paul Peters, 29, sustained injuries. Sgt Threfall was subsequently warded at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) while L/Cpl Peters was treated at the base for his injuries.

At the time of the explosion, ranks were at the arms store preparing the devices for demolition, according to an Army statement. A Board of Inquiry (BOI) has since been launched by the army.

Today, Thursday, May 14, the GDF will join with family and friends to `Celebrate the Life’ of Pte De Harte. The late soldier’s body will be interred at the St Albans Church cemetery, following a funeral service at the said church with GDF Chaplain Reverend (Rev) J. Nicholas Corbin and Pastors George Jeffers and Shawny Mc Garrell conducting a service starting at 12:30hrs

On Friday, the body of the late L/Cpl Nicholson will be taken to the Grace Assembly of God Church, Pope Street, New Amsterdam, for a funeral service scheduled for 13:00hrs. The officiating priests will be Rev. Corbin and Rev. Doreen Henry.

On Tuesday May 12, 2020 residents of the Amerindian community of Orealla, located about 50 miles from Crabwood Creek, bade farewell to Lance Corporal Tooney Peneux, who hailed from the community. He was also buried according to military rites.

The funeral service for the late soldier was conducted by Pastor Glen De Vair at the Nazarene Church, where the late soldier’s mother worships. The soldier’s uncle, Carl Peneux, Toshao of the Orealla community, delivered a tribute on behalf of the family.

The April 30 explosion follows closely another that occurred at the GDF Coast Guard base on February 22, the eve of this country’s Republic Anniversary. That blast claimed the life of Corporal Seon Rose, 31, who had sustained the brunt of the injuries that he and several others received. On that occasion, they were preparing fireworks for the Republic Anniversary Celebrations.