It is with deep sadness that we confirm the death of Captain Philip Gilbert Muldowney of 4th Regiment Royal Artillery on 25th January 2026.
He died following an incident during Live Firing Tactical Training at Otterburn Training Area. He was 25 years old. Our thoughts are with Captain Muldowney’s family and friends at this sad time.
Obituary – Captain Philip Gilbert Muldowney Royal Artillery
Captain Philip Gilbert Muldowney served as a Fire Support Team Commander in 129 (Dragon) Battery, 4th Regiment Royal Artillery. He joined the Army on 5th January 2020, commissioning into the Royal Artillery on 11th December 2020 after attending the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
Known to all simply as Gilbert, he was an immensely enthusiastic officer who embraced life with a vigour that inspired those around him. He excelled on the Young Officers’ Course at the Royal School of Artillery, distinguishing himself through his cheerfulness in adversity, sharp intellect, and superb sense of humour. On completing the course in April 2021, he assumed a coveted Troop Commander appointment in D Battery, 3rd Regiment Royal Horse Artillery.
Upon arriving at 3rd Regiment Royal Horse Artillery, Gilbert was immediately immersed in preparations for deployment on Operation Cabrit. COVID restrictions made assuming Troop Command particularly challenging, yet he navigated these difficulties with aplomb. His natural leadership and likeable character forged a cohesive, high performing team ready for operations. Deploying to Estonia on 30th November 2021, Gilbert seized every training and social opportunity, standing out among his peers during Exercise Winter Storm.
After returning from Operation Cabrit, Gilbert moved in May 2023 to the Army Training Foundation College, Winchester, as a Company Second-in-Command and Phase One instructor. He was an exceptional mentor and teacher whose archetypal leadership had a profound impact on those he guided. Hundreds of service personnel benefitted from his expertise, whether within the College, on Adventurous Training in Cyprus, America, and Germany, or on battlefield studies in France.
On 1 September 2024, Gilbert joined 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery in Plymouth as a Battery Reconnaissance Officer in 7 (Sphinx) Battery. His role demanded the meticulous reconnaissance required to deploy the L118 Light Gun onto its gun positions to engage targets, and he travelled widely across the UK fulfilling these responsibilities. In January 2025, he undertook the All-Arms Commando Course at Lympstone a challenge he relished. Despite sustaining a serious injury during the course, and his strong desire to continue, he was ordered to pause and rehabilitate.
Following his recovery, Gilbert successfully completed the Fire Support Team Commanders' Course at the Royal School of Artillery. On 5 September 2025 he joined 4th Regiment Royal Artillery as a Fire Support Commander within 129 (Dragon) Battery. He thrived in this role, confidently advising Infantry Company Commanders senior to him on the employment of artillery, mortars, rockets, and air delivered munitions, responsibilities he carried out with notable skill.
During the recent Regimental Exercise on the Otterburn Training Area, Gilbert and his Fire Support Team excelled throughout the technical firing phases, engaging all targets with speed and aggression. In the tactical phase, he led his team to an Observation Post 5km from their cached Foxhound vehicle. Carrying their equipment, specialised optics, and communications systems, Gilbert navigated them to the location and established a concealed hide in -5°C conditions. The team remained undetected for 20 hours while reporting simulated enemy movements before conducting a simulated strike on a High Value Target. Their performance was exemplary.
Professionally, Gilbert was an exceptional officer who always put his soldiers first. He always led from the front, a hallmark of his character. His leadership, courage, and deep sense of duty earned him the enduring respect and admiration of all who served alongside him.
Friends and colleagues will remember Gilbert for his warmth, boundless energy, and infectious humour. He had a rare gift for lifting spirits and bringing out the best in people, leaving a lasting impression on all who knew him.
Gilbert was an unforgettable character and a rising star within the Army and the Regiment. His loss is profoundly felt by his comrades and friends, and our thoughts and prayers remain with his family at this most difficult time.
Commanding Officer 4th Regiment Royal Artillery – Lieutenant Colonel Henry Waller Royal Artillery
It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of Captain Philip Gilbert Muldowney.
Known to all simply as Gilbert, he was an immensely enthusiastic officer who embraced life with a vigour that inspired everyone around him. Always full of ideas and never without a bright smile, Gilbert approached every challenge wholeheartedly, whether in camp or out in the field. His versatility was remarkable, and he threw himself into a wide range of activities with energy and commitment.
Professionally, Gilbert was an outstanding officer who consistently put his soldiers first. He led from the front in all that he did, a quality that defined his character. His leadership, courage, and sense of duty earned him the respect and admiration of all who served alongside him.
Friends and colleagues will remember Gilbert for his easy-going nature, boundless energy, and infectious sense of humour. He had an extraordinary ability to lift spirits and make the best of any situation, leaving a lasting impression on all who knew him.
Gilbert was an unforgettable character and a rising star within the Army and the Regiment. His loss is deeply felt by his comrades and friends, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this most difficult time.
Battery Commander 129 (Dragon) Battery, 4th Regiment Royal Artillery - Major Martin Simms Royal Artillery
We are devastated by the loss of Capt Philip ‘Gilbert’ Muldowney from 129 Bty, Royal Artillery and the Army as a whole. Capt Muldowney’s relentless professionalism couched in a cheerful and charismatic personality made him the perfect Officer.
Approachable to those under his command and unfailingly dependable to those that relied upon him, he represented the pinnacle of servant leadership and selfless commitment.
His ability to deal with any challenge presented to him with humour and determination made him brilliantly effective and a role model to us all. An absolute credit to his family and his friends, to whom we offer our deepest heartfelt condolences at this tragic time.
Battery Commander 97 (Lawson’s Company) Battery, 4th Regiment Royal Artillery - Captain Ross Beeby,
Gilbert was a fit, technically astute and intelligent officer, whose reliability and selflessness were evident in everything he did. He worked hard and cared deeply for those under his command - earning genuine respect and trust from his soldiers as a result. He was a natural “doer”: dependable, determined, and someone who could always be relied upon to deliver, regardless of the task or the pressure.
Beyond his professional competence, Gilbert was also a loyal colleague and a true friend. Socially, he was just as reliable as he was at work - always present, always engaged, and always bringing warmth, energy, and charisma to those around him.
Gilbert’s loss is felt deeply by his unit, his peers and all who had the privilege of serving and spending time with him. He will be remembered with great respect, affection and gratitude, and he will be dearly missed.
SO3B G35, 3 Deep Recce Strike Brigade HQ - Captain Helen Brackenbury
Gilbert was a truly kind person, highly competent and endearingly joyful. He served all those under his command in a highly authentic manner, unapologetically himself - everyday he displayed a level of spirit I continue to be in awe of. It has been the pleasure of my career to have served alongside him, and I consider myself very lucky to have been his friend.
FST Commander, 88 Arracan Battery, 4th Regiment Royal Artillery – Captain Duncan Morrison
I first met Gilbert in September 2021 when I joined 3rd Royal Horse Artillery. He had commissioned in the intake above me, making him a fellow 2Lt with three months of Regimental Duty already under his belt. From the outset, he was the person I turned to for guidance and support, and that marked the beginning of a friendship.
Our friendship was briefly put on hold when Gilbert deployed on Op CABRIT for six months. During his time away, I began to hear more of Gilbert’s backstory, particularly the legendary Officer Mess stories in which he seemed to feature in every tale. I did my best to live up to his reputation, involving myself in the Mess and making stories of my own.
We went our separate ways for our second tours, only to be reunited at 4th Regiment Royal Artillery. I still remember the call from Gilbert telling me he would be joining me and finally presenting the perfect opportunity to be back together with my friend.
Gilbert lived life to the fullest and made lasting connections with everyone he met. He was fun, light-hearted, and professional in equal measure. Above all, he was a true friend and a fellow Officer I could always rely on for help and support.