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British Forces casualties in Afghanistan since 2001

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The United Kingdom was one of the first countries which took part in Operation Enduring Freedom to topple the Taliban regime in autumn 2001. See Britain's role in the 2001-present Afghan war.

As of September 13, 2008, British forces have suffered 120[1] fatalities. The vast majority of fatalities have taken place since the redeployment of British forces to the Taliban stronghold of Helmand province, as prior to deployment in this area only five men died between April 2002 and early March 2006.

In all, 93 of the fatalities are classed as "killed in action" (KIA) and 27 are known to have died either as a result of illness, non-combat injuries or accidents, or have not yet officially been assigned a cause of death pending the outcome of an investigation.[2]

Centrally non-fatal casualty records records show that for the period 1 January 2006 to 15 June 2008:

  • 396 UK military and civilian personnel were admitted to UK Field Hospitals and categorised as Wounded in Action, including as a result of hostile action.
  • 1,183 UK military and civilian personnel were admitted to UK Field Hospitals for disease or non-battle injuries.
  • 57 UK personnel were categorised as Very Seriously Injured from all causes excluding disease.
  • 79 UK personnel were categorised as Seriously Injured from all causes excluding disease.
  • 1,186 UK personnel were aeromedically evacuated from Afghanistan on medical grounds, whatever the reason.[3]

Background

See Operation Herrick and Operation Veritas.

Supporting invasion of Afghanistan and serving in the Northern NATO command

Non-hostile deaths

The first three British casualties were non-hostile deaths in Kabul, from suicide, accidental weapons discharge and homicide.

Private Darren John George, who was killed by a ricocheting bullet fired by a comrade who had a dizzy spell[4],

Sergeant Robert Busuttil & Corporal John Gregory. Despite orders rationing beer to just two small cans a day to help prevent such events occurring, Corporal Gregory became involved in a drunken fight with Sergeant Busuttil at a barbecue. Gregory then left the barbecue and returned with a loaded SA80 rifle and killed Busuttil, firing the rifle at him 'Up to ten times'. Gregory then committed suicide with the weapon. The Army has was subsequently criticised by Wiltshire coroner David Masters when he recorded verdicts of unlawful killing on the death of Sergeant Busuttil and suicide on Corporal Gregory. [5]

Kabul suicide attack (28 January 2004)

One British soldier was killed, and four injured in a suicide attack in Kabul. The British troops were in lightly armoured landrovers when a taxi swerved into their convoy and a bomber detonated 200Ibs of explosives[6]. The dead soldier was Private Jonathan Kitulagoda[7].

Mazar e-Sharif attack

Lance Corporal Steven Sherwood was killed and five wounded by a lone gunman outside the main Mosque in the former Northern Alliance stronghold of Mazar e-Sharif. As a result of its Northerly situation it is unlikely that the Taliban were involved[8].

2006 Kabul incidents

Private Leigh Reeves aged 25, and of the Royal Logistic Corps, died on Wednesday 9 August 2006 in a road traffic accident at Camp Souter, Kabul[9]. There was no insurgent involvement.

Private Craig O’Donnell, 24, B Company of The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 5th Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland died in a suicide bomb attack on Monday 4 September 2006[10].

As part of Operation Enduring Freedom

March 2006

Corporal Mark Cridge died in Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, on 22 March[11]. The Oxfordshire Coroner subsequently recorded an inquest verdict of suicide on 22nd February 2007[12].

Lance Corporal Peter Edward Craddock died in Lashkar Gah, southern Afghanistan on Monday 27 March. L/Cpl Craddock died as a result of a road traffic accident and enemy forces are not thought to have been involved. [13]

June 2006

Captain Jim Philippson was killed on 11 June, in a gunbattle with suspected Taliban militants whilst he participated in a mobile patrol.[14]

Captain David Patten who was a member of the Special Reconnaissance Regiment (SRR) and Sergeant Paul Bartlett who was a member of the Special Boat Service (SBS) were killed in a fierce firefight with Taleban forces near the town of Sangin, Helmand Province, Southern Afghanistan early in the morning of 27 June. Both men were killed during an operation to detain a number of leading Taliban figures within the Sangin Valley [15].

July 2006

Corporal Peter Thorpe and Lance Corporal Jabron Hashmi died on 1 July 2006, the two British soldiers and their Afghan interpreter were killed, and a number of others wounded when a rocket propelled grenade hit the government compound they were defending in the town of Sangin. Lance Corporal Jabron Hashmi was the first Muslim British soldier to be killed in either Iraq or Afghanistan.[16]

Private Damien Raymond Jackson, the 3rd Battalion the Parachute Regiment, died as a result of injuries sustained during a firefight with Taliban forces at approximately 1400 hours local time in Sangin, central Helmand Province. The incident occurred during a security patrol to clear a Helicopter landing site[17].

Since ISAF Stage 3, July, 31, 2006

August 2006 to December 2006

August 2006

Captain Alex Eida, 2nd Lieutenant Ralph Johnson and Lance Corporal Ross Nicholl were killed after a vehicle patrol was ambushed by militants in a northern district of Helmand province in southern Afghanistan on 1 August, they were ambushed with RPGs, AK-47s and a heavy machine gun [18].

Private Andrew Barrie Cutts of 13 Air Assault Support Regiment was taking part in an action in Musa Qala, Helmand province, against insurgents when he was killed on 6 August. Troops came under "substantial fire" from Taliban during the operation, which involved 500 British troops, which was their largest action against the Taliban and the operation was supported by Afghan forces [19].

Lance Corporal Sean Tansey, 26, of the Household Cavalry Regiment, died as he repaired a damaged Scimitar tank at a military base in Helmand province on 12 August. [20] This was subsequently found to be due to negligence on the part of the British Ministry of Defence, because the MoD failed to provide his regiment with proper equipment and training [21].

Corporal Bryan Budd, of the 3rd Battalion, the Parachute Regiment, died in a gun battle with Taliban forces in Helmand province, southern Afghanistan, on 20 August. He had been in the Army for 10 years serving in Yugoslavia, Sierra Leone, Macedonia, Afghanistan and Iraq and was about to be promoted to platoon sergeant when he died. [22] He was subsequently awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions[23].

Lance Corporal Jonathan Hetherington was shot dead while fighting rebels during an assault on his platoon house in Musa Qaleh in northern Helmand province on 27 August. [24]

September 2006

Ranger Anare Draiva of 1 Royal Irish Regiment, who was Fijian, died on 1 September in northern Helmand following an attack by insurgents [25]

RAF Nimrod crash

Main article: Royal Air Force Nimrod crash in Afghanistan

Fourteen British servicemen where killed when their Nimrod surveillance aircraft crashed following an onboard fire. The fire caused when a fuel transfer pipe inside the aircraft ruptured during in-flight refueling. The aircraft was serialed XV230 and was crewed by RAF Flight personnel drawn from No 120 Squadron at RAF Kinloss. The dead were named as Flt Lt Steven Johnson, Flt Lt Leigh Anthony Mitchelmore, Flt Lt Gareth Nicholas, Flt Lt Allan Squires, Flt Lt Steven Swarbrick, Flt Sgt Gary Andrews, Flt Sgt Stephen Beattie, Flt Sgt Gerard Bell,Flt Sgt Adrian Davis, Sergeant Benjamin James Knight, Sergeant John Joseph Langton and Sergeant Gary Paul Quilliam. Also operational onboard the aircraft were personnel from the British Army and British Naval Service, they were Corporal Oliver Simon Dicketts of the Parachute Regiment and Marine Joseph David Windall of the Royal Marines [26] who were both serving with the Special Reconnaissance Regiment.

Corporal Mark William Wright, 27, from Edinburgh, of the Parachute Regiment, died after a patrol entered an unmarked minefield in Helmand province. Cpl Wright died attempting to save the life of an injured paratrooper [27]. He was later awarded the George Cross posthumously.

Lance Corporal Paul Muirhead, 29, of the Royal Irish Regiment, from Bearley, Warwickshire, died of injuries on 6 September, after an attack on 1 September. He was wounded during a Taleban attack on his base at Musa Quala, in Helmand province. He had been receiving specialist medical care since the attack and his parents were with him when he died [28].

Lance Corporal Luke McCulloch, 21, of the 1st Battalion, the Royal Irish Regiment, was killed in a battle with Taleban rebels. The fighting took place in Sangin, Helmand province.[29]

October 2006

Marine Gary Wright, aged 22, serving with Reconnaissance Troop, 45 Commando Royal Marines, was killed along with two children when a suicide bomber on foot detonated explosives next to the Land Rover in which Wright was travelling; one other Royal Marine was seriously injured. [30]

December 2006

Marine Jonathan Wigley, of Zulu Company, 45 Commando, Royal Marines, was killed during a four hour battle with the Taliban on the outskirts of the village of Garmsir in Helmand province, Southern Afghanistan. Marine Wigleys' death is believed to be the result of friendly fire which occurred when air support for ground troops was called to within a range termed "Danger close".[31]

Marine Richard Watson, of K Company, 42 Commando Royal Marines was killed on 12 December during a fierce firefight with Taliban fighters in the town of Now Zad in Helmand Province, Southern Afghanistan.[32]

Lance Bombardier James Dwyer, of 29 Commando Regiment, Royal Artillery died on Wednesday 27 December 2006, aged 22. He was killed when the vehicle he was driving struck an anti-tank mine whilst on a patrol in southern Helmand[33].

January 2007 to December 2007

January 2007

Marine Thomas Curry, aged 21, died on Saturday 13 January 2007 when elements of 42 Commando Royal Marines were engaged in a deliberate offensive operation near Kajaki, in Northern Helmand, Afghanistan. The Royal Marines Commandos were engaged in close-quarter fighting with the Taleban, and it was during this action that Marine Curry was killed. He died instantly as a result of enemy small arms fire[34].

Lance Corporal Mathew Ford, from 45 Commando Royal Marines, died on Monday 15 January 2007 aged 30. Lance Corporal Ford died when elements of 45 Commando Royal Marines were engaged in a deliberate offensive operation to the south of Garmsir in southern Helmand, Afghanistan. The Royal Marine Commandos were attacking a major Taliban fort, and during the initial breach of the compound Lance Corporal Ford was shot and killed instantly[35]. Subsequent investigation by the British MOD, and a review by a Board of Enquiry into the evidence collected, found that LCpl Ford was most likely a victim of 'Friendly Fire'[36].

February 2007

Marine Jonathan Holland, aged 23, from 45 Commando was killed by an anti-personnel mine during a routine patrol in the Sangin District of Helmand province on 21 February 2007 [37].

Marine Scott Summers, age 23, of 42 Commando Royal Marines died on Wednesday 21 February 2007 as a result of injuries sustained in a road traffic accident earlier that month in Afghanistan. The accident occurred when the Marine Summers was driving a Pinzgauer vehicle as part of a routine convoy in Helmand province on 4 February 2007. After initial treatment, Marine Summers was transported back to a specialist unit in the UK where he later died.[38].

March 2007

Lance Bombardier Ross Clark aged 25 from South Africa, and Lance Bombardier Liam McLaughlin, aged 21 from Lancashire, both of 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery, were killed during a rocket attack in the Sangin area of Helmand province on Saturday 3 March 2007[39].

Marine Benjamin Reddy aged 22 from Ascot in Berkshire, of 42 Commando Royal Marines was killed when his unit came under fire in the Kajaki area of Helmand Province on Tuesday 6 March 2007 [40].

Warrant Officer Class 2 Michael Smith, aged 39 from Liverpool, serving with 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery died from injuries sustained when a grenade was fired at the UK base in Sangin, Helmand Province, on Thursday 8 March 2007 [41].

April 2007

Private Chris Gray aged 19 from Leicestershire, a soldier of A Company, 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, was killed in action whilst fighting the Taliban in Helmand Province, Afghanistan on Friday 13 April 2007 [42].

May 2007

Corporal Mike Gilyeat aged, 28 from the Royal Military Police, died on Wednesday 30 May 2007 when the American Chinook helicopter he was travelling in crashed in the Kajaki area of northern Helmand [43].

Corporal Darren Bonner aged 31 from Norfolk, died on Monday 28 May 2007, in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Corporal Bonner was the lead Signaller serving with A (Norfolk) Company Group, 1 Royal Anglian Battlegroup, and had been travelling in a convoy roughly 11km east of Hyderabad in the Gereshk region of Helmand Province when an explosion hit his vehicle [44].

Guardsman Daniel Probyn aged 22 from Tipton, 1st Battalion the Grenadier Guards died on Saturday 26 May 2007 following an explosion during an offensive operation to clear a Taliban stronghold on the outskirts of the town of Garmsir, in Southern Helmand [45]. Four soldiers from the battalion were also injured in the incident.

Lance Corporal George Russell Davey aged 23 and from Suffolk, was killed on Sunday 20 May 2007 as a result of injuries sustained in a tragic fiearms accident at the British base in Sangin, Afghanistan [46]. The Coroner's inquest at Lowestoft subsequently recorded a verdict of accidental death [47]

Guardsman Simon Davison was killed by small arms fire while manning a checkpoint near the town of Garmsir in Helmand Province on Thursday 3 May 2007. He was from 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, and was operating from Forward Operating Base Delhi in Garmsir District Centre, southern Helmand Province. Guardsman Davison was aged 22 and from Newcastle-Upon-Tyne[48].

June 2007

Lance Corporal Paul "Sandy" Sandford aged 23 and from Nottingham, serving with 1st Battalion The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters, was killed while taking part in an offensive patrol with his company aimed at disrupting Taliban forces in the Upper Gereshk Valley area of Helmand Province on Wednesday 6 June 2007[49].

Guardsman Neil 'Tony' Downes was killed on Saturday 9 June 2007 when his vehicle was hit by an explosion on a patrol with the Afghan National Army close to the town of Sangin in Helmand province, Afghanistan[50]. Guardsman Downes was aged 20 and from Manchester

Drummer Thomas Wright, 21, from Ripley, Derbyshire, 1st Battalion The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment, was killed on Sunday 24 June 2007 when the vehicle he was travelling in was caught in an explosion near Lashkar Gah, Helmand province[51]. Four other soldiers were also injured in the explosion.

Captain Sean Dolan of the 1st Battalion aged 40, The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment, died as a result of a mortar round in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, on Saturday 30 June 2007. Captain Dolan was acting as a Liaison Officer between the battalion and a joint US Task Force and Afghan National Army operation. Captain Dolan, and the forces that he was attached to, were observing a substantial force of Taliban fighters from the edge of a vantage point, when they came under fire from Taliban mortars. The first mortar round fatally wounded Captain Dolan and seriously injured a US soldier[52]

July 2007

Sergeant Dave Wilkinson, aged 33, from 19 Regiment Royal Artillery, serving with 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards died following an explosion during a routine joint patrol with the Afghan National Army in Gereshk, Helmand province on Sunday 1 July 2007. The patrol was conducting routine operations with the Afghan National Army when it was struck by an improvised explosive device. Although all the injured soldiers were quickly extracted by helicopter to the ISAF medical facility at Camp Bastion, Sergeant Wilkinson was pronounced dead on arrival. Four other members of the patrol were injured [53].

Guardsman Daryl Hickey from the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards was killed in southern Afghanistan on Thursday 12 July 2007. Gdn Hickey was part of a fire team providing covering fire as others in his platoon assaulted a Taliban position. During the enemy contact he suffered a gunshot wound. Gdn Hickey was rapidly evacuated by helicopter but was pronounced dead on arrival at the field hospital[54]. Two other soldiers were injured in the action.

Lance Corporal Alex Hawkins, aged 22, of 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, was killed in southern Afghanistan on Wednesday 25 July 2007.

Guardsman David Atherton from the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards was killed in southern Afghanistan on Thursday 26 July 2007.

Sergeant Barry Keen of 14 Signal Regiment was killed by a mortar attack in southern Afghanistan on Friday 27 July 2007.

Lance Corporal Michael Jones Royal Marines was killed in action during operations in southern Afghanistan on Sunday 29 July 2007.

August 2007

Senior Aircraftman Christopher Bridge, aged 20 and serving with C flight, 51 Squadron Royal Air Force Regiment. At a little after midnight on the morning of 30 August 2007 (local time) SAC Bridge was in a vehicle that was conducting a routine security patrol around Kandahar Airfield when it was caught in an explosion[55]. A local interpreter was also killed and two other soldiers were injured.

Private Aaron James (Troy) McClure, Private Robert Graham Foster and Private John Thrumble all from 7 Platoon, B 'SUFFOLK' Company, 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, were killed in Afghanistan on Thursday 23 August 2007. During a fighting patrol north west of Kajaki, in northern Helmand Province, southern Afghanistan, 7 platoon came under determined and accurate fire from the Taliban. A fierce firefight ensued and air support was requested and was supplied by two USAF F15E Aircraft, one of which dropped a bomb short of the intended target area killing the three soldiers[56].

Captain David Hicks, aged 26, Second-In-Command of C (Essex) Company, 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment was killed on Saturday 11 August 2007 during a violent attack on his patrol base north east of Sangin, in Helmand Province. At 1320 hours local time the patrol base came under attack from small arms fire, rocket propelled grenades, and indirect fire. It was during this engagement that Captain Hicks was injured. An emergency response helicopter took him to the medical facility at Camp Bastion for treatment, but he did not survive his injuries[57].

Private Tony (Nicey) Rawson, aged 27, from 11 Platoon, C (Essex) Company, 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment on Friday 10 August 2007. Pte Rawson was part of a fighting patrol which came under heavy fire from Taliban fighters shortly before 0600 hours local time. He was prononced dead at the scene of the firefight[58].

September 2007

Private Damian Wright and Private Ben Ford. Wednesday 5 September 2007. The soldiers, both from the 2nd Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Worcesters and Foresters), were taking part in a routine reassurance patrol 17km north of Lashkar Gah when, shortly after 0915 hours local time, the Land Rover vehicle they were travelling in was caught in an explosion. They were both pronounced dead at the scene. Another soldier and an interpreter who were injured in the explosion[1].

Sergeant Craig Brelsford (aged 25) and Private Johan Botha (aged 25), both from 2nd Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Worcesters and Foresters), were killed in Helmand Province on Saturday 8 September 2007. They were taking part in a pre-planned operation to disrupt Taliban activity, south of Garmsir, southern Helmand Province, when their patrol was attacked by enemy fighters[2]. A number of other soldiers were also injured in the incident, two seriously.

Corporal Ivano Violino from 36 Engineer Regiment died in Helmand province, southern Afghanistan on Monday 17 September 2007. He was 29 years old. Corporal Violino was commanding an FL12 Self-Loading Dump Truck on a routine logistics convoy, moving vital engineering equipment to a Forward Operating Base 19km north east of the town of Gereshk in Helmand province, when his vehicle was caught in an explosion[3].

Colour Sergeant Phillip Newman aged 36, 4th Battalion The Mercian Regiment, and Private Brian Tunnicliffe aged 33, 2nd Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Worcesters and Foresters), died in in a tragic accident in southern Afghanistan on Thursday 20 September 2007. They were travelling in a Pinzgauer 4X4, 5km south west of their patrol base in an area north of Gereshk, on their way to a rendezvous point as part of a two vehicle replenishment patrol. The vehicle over-turned and tragically landed on its roof in an irrigation channel. One other passenger was able to escape without injury[4].

October 2007

Major Alexis Roberts, serving with 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles (but usually an Officer of 2nd Battalion RGR) died as a result of an improvised explosive device in southern Afghanistan on Thursday 4 October 2007[5].

November 2007

Lance Corporal Jake Alderton aged 22 from Bexley, of 36 Engineer Regiment died in southern Afghanistan on Friday 9 November 2007 the vehicle he was travelling in left the road and rolled off a bridge[6].

Captain John McDermid, The Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, aged 43 from Glasgow. On Wednesday 14 November 2007 in southern Afghanistan Captain McDermid, who was serving with 2nd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment, was leading a joint UK and Afghan National Army patrol to the south of the district centre of Sangin in Helmand Province, during which he was also mentoring an Afghan National Army officer in the leadership and infantry skills that platoon commanders need. At approximately 1130 hours local time an Improvised Explosive Device detonated, which resulted in the death of Captain McDermid and serious injury to the Afghan interpreter who was accompanying him.[7]

December 2007

Sergeant Lee Johnson of 2nd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards). On Saturday 8 December 2007, in southern Afghanistan. Shortly before 1010 hours local time Sergeant Johnson was taking part in operations to recapture the town of Musa Qaleh in Helmand Province in what has become known as the Battle of Musa Qala when an explosive device detonated - suspected to be a mine - resulting in the death of Sergeant Johnson and inflicting serious injuries to another soldier in the same vehicle.[8] Sergent Johnson was subsequently 'Mentioned In Dispatches' for his actions.[9]

January 2008 to present

January 2008

Trooper Jack Sadler, aged 21, of The Honourable Artillery Company. Whilst serving with 4/73 Special Observation Battery, Brigade Reconnaissance Force Tpr Sadler was killed in an explosion in southern Afghanistan on 4 December 2007. At just after 1300 hrs local time the soldiers were on a tactical patrol to the north of Sangin, Helmand Province, when the vehicle they were travelling in was caught in an explosion. Two other soldiers were also injured as a result of the blast.[10]

Corporal Darryl Gardiner, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, aged 25 from Salisbury in Wiltshire, was taking part in an operation to disrupt enemy forces and reassure local Afghans on Sunday 20th January 2008 in southern Afghanistan, three kilometres north of Musa Qala district centre in Helmand Province. Shortly after 1530 hours local time the vehicle he was travelling in was hit by a roadside mine strike. Corporal Gardiner was evacuated by helicopter to the field hospital at Camp Bastion for medical treatment but did not survive. Five other soldiers were injured in the explosion.[11]

February 2008

Corporal Damian Stephen Lawrence, 2nd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards), aged 25 from Whitby, Sunday 17 February 2008, in Helmand Province, southern Afghanistan. Shortly before 2100 hours local time Corporal Lawrence was taking part in a joint UK - Afghan National Army night patrol in Kajaki, tasked with clearing a number of compounds. Immediately upon entry into a compound an explosive device detonated fatally injuring Corporal Lawrence. Another soldier was also wounded, but his injuries are not life-threatening.[12] Corporal Lawrence was later posthumously 'Mentioned in Dispatches' for his actions.[13]

Corporal Damian Mulvihill, 40 Commando Royal Marines, aged 32 from Plymouth. Shortly before 1215 hrs local time on 20 February 2008 Corporal Mulvihill was taking part in a joint ISAF – ANA patrol engaged in operations near Sangin. The marines of Alpha Company were conducting a clearance patrol to deter Taliban intimidation of local Afghans. It was during this action that an Improvised Explosive Device was detonated, which killed Corporal Mulvihill instantly.. [14]

March 2008

Lieutenant John Thornton (aged 22) and Marine David Marsh (aged 23) both of 40 Commando Royal Marines. Just after 1653 hours local time on Sunday 30ty March 2008, the Marines were conducting a patrol in the vicinity of Kajaki, Helmand province, when the vehicle they were travelling in was caught in an explosion. Medical treatment was provided prior to both being evacuated to the field hospital at Camp Bastion. Despite the best efforts of the medical team, both sadly died as a result of their wounds. [15]

April 2008

Senior Aircraftman Gary Thompson, aged 51, of No 504 (County of Nottingham) Squadron the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, and Senior Aircraftman Graham Livingstone who served with No 3 Squadron the RAF Regiment, were both killed by a roadside bomb whilst on patrol in Kandahar. Senior Aircraftman Thompson is the oldest British serviceman to die in Afghanistan. [16]

Trooper Robert Pearson, aged 22, of the Queen's Royal Lancers. At approximately 0900hrs local time on Monday 21 April 2008 Trooper Pearson was part of the Armoured Support Company Royal Marines who were providing security to a resupply convoy that was returning to Camp Bastion when the vehicle he was driving hit a suspected mine. Another soldier was injured in the blast and received medical treatment. [17]

May 2008

Trooper Ratu Babakobau, aged 29, of the Household Cavalry Regiment was killed Friday 2 May 2008 in Helmand, Afghanistan at 1350hrs local time whilst providing protection for a routine patrol in the Nowzad area of northern Helmand. The vehicle he was travelling in suffered a minestrike. Three other British soldiers and one local national were also injured in the incident. [18]

James Thompson a soldier in the SAS (Reserve) died in an explosion in Afghanistan, Monday 19 May 2008. The soldier was patrolling on foot in Musa Qala, Helmand, when he was caught in an explosion and died. No one else was injured. [59].

Marine Dale Gostick, of 3 Troop Armoured Support Company, Royal Marines was killed in action at the Sangin crossing of the Helmand River, southern Helmand province, Afghanistan, Sunday 25 May 2008. His troop were returning to their Forward Operating Base, when the BvS 10 Viking he was driving struck a suspected mine. Another two Royal Marines were also injured in the blast and received medical treatment.[19]

June 2008

Private Nathan Cuthbertson, Private Daniel Gamble and Private Charles Murray of 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment died on Sunday 8 June 2008 in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. At approximately 1100 hours local time, the soldiers were on a routine foot patrol 1km west of their Forward Operating Base in the Upper Sangin Valley when their patrol suffered a suicide explosive device.[60] Their deaths brought the total number of British forces who have died in Afghanistan to 100.

Lance Corporal James Bateman and Private Jeff Doherty of 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment (2 Para) both died on Thursday 12 June 2008 in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Early on 12 June 2008, 8 Platoon of C (Bruneval) Company, 2nd Battalion, the Parachute Regiment was engaged by the Taliban north of their base at FOB GIBRALTAR in the Upper Gereshk Valley, Helmand Province. During the exchange of fire Lance Corporal James Bateman and Private Jeff Doherty were killed in the face of the enemy amongst their colleagues and friends. One other soldier received wounds which required medical attention[61].

Corporal Sarah Bryant of the Intelligence Corps, Corporal Sean Robert Reeve of the Royal Signals, Lance Corporal Richard Larkin and Trooper Paul Stout of the Special Air Service reserves were killed in a roadside bomb incident approximately 10km East of Lashkar Gah, Hemland Province at 1540hrs on Tuesday 17th June 2008. All four soldiers were killed while taking part in a deliberate operation east of Lashkar Gah when the vehicle in which they were travelling was caught in an explosion. Another soldier was wounded in the incident and received treatment for his wounds at the UK Field Hospital at Camp Bastion[62]. Corporal Sarah Bryant is the first woman soldier to be killed in the current operations in Afghanistan.

Warrant Officer 2nd Class Michael Williams of 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment (2 PARA) was killed Tuesday 24 June 2008 during a firefight. He was commanding C (Bruneval) Company's Fire Support Group while the Company was on a deliberate operation against the Taliban in the Upper Sangin Valley when he was fatally wounded[63].

Private Joe Whittaker, a reserve soldier who was attached to 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, was killed Tuesday 24 June 2008 by a suspected Improvised Explosive Device. Private Whittaker was part of a mine detection team and was killed helping to ensure that large vehicle resupply convoys could reach Forward Operating Bases[64].

Warrant Officer 2nd Class Dan Shirley of 13 Air Assault Support Regiment, Royal Logistics Corps was killed while on a Logistic Patrol from Sangin to Camp Bastion when the vehicle he was travelling in rolled over on Friday 27 June 2008[65].

Lance Corporal James "Jimmy" Johnson, B Company, 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland was killed on Saturday 28 June 2008. LCpl Johnson was part of a vehicle checkpoint patrol operating in the Lashkar Gar area, when he was killed by an anti-personnel mine.[66]

July 2008

Corporal Jason Stuart Barnes aged 25 years, from the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, attached to 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, was killed in Afghanistan, Tuesday 22 July 2008. The incident occurred at 1818 hrs local time. Corporal Barnes was driving a Vector ambulance vehicle when it hit a suspected Improvised Explosive Device. He was returning to base after he had successfully aided in the helecopter evacuation of a casualty who had been injured earlier near Kajaki in northern Helmand.[67]

Lance Corporal Kenneth Michael Rowe aged 24 years, of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps, attached to 2nd Battalion the Parachute Regiment, died on Thursday 24 July 2008 on a routine patrol from Forward Operating Base Inkerman in the Sangin area of Helmand Province when the patrol came under enemy fire. Five other soldiers were injured by small arms fire. His explosives sniffer dog, Sasha, was also killed in the incident[68].

Sergeant Jonathan William Mathews aged 35 years, from 4th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, attached to 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment, was killed in Helmand province 28 July 2008. At 1006hrs local time, a joint Afghan National Army and UK Operational Mentoring Liaison Team were patrolling on foot in the Marjah area, west of Lashkar Gah, in Helmand province. The patrol received reports from locals that the Taliban were in the area but before they could take up defensive positions they received incoming fire, and the soldier sustained a single gun shot wound[69].

Private Peter Joe Cowton aged 25, from 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, was killed in Helmand province, Tuesday 29 July 2008. At 0600hrs local time, a routine patrol conducting reassurance and interdiction activities left Forward Operating Base (FOB) Gibraltar and at 0847hrs local time encountered enemy forces and engaged them. A short while later the patrol reported one casualty from the engagement who was seriously wounded by a blast, the soldier died shortly afterwards.[70]

August 2008

Signaller Wayne Bland, aged 21 and from Leeds, serving with 16 Signal Regiment was killed in a suicide attack on a vehicle patrol in Kabul, Afghanistan, 11 August 2008. At 16.00hrs local time a suicide attacker rammed his vehicle into the patrol and detonated an explosive device causing a number of civilian casualties and injuring three British soldiers who were evacuated to a military hospital, however Signaller Bland later died from his wounds[71].

Corporal Barry Dempsey, aged 29, from The Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland, attached to 1st Battalion the Royal Irish Regiment, was killed in a IED blast, Monday 18 August 2008. At 8.25am local time, a joint Afghan National Army and UK Operational Mentoring Liaison Team were patrolling, when they dismounted in the region of Forward Operating Base Attal, in the Gereshk area of Helmand Province. During that time an improvised explosive device was detonated which resulted in the death of Cpl Dempsey and shrapnel and blast injuries to one other ISAF soldier, an Afghan National Army soldier and the patrol interpreter[72].

September 2008

Ranger Justin James (Cups) Cupples, aged 29, from 7 Platoon, C (Ranger) Company, 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment, was killed in an explosion while on a foot patrol in Sangin town, northern Helmand Province at 0710 hours local time on Thursday 4th September 2008. The explosion is believed to have been from an improvised explosive device. The soldier was given first aid at the scene, but died a short time later[73]

WO2 Gary O'Donnell GM, aged 40, and serving with 11 EOD Regiment Royal Logistics Corps died 10 Sept 2008 in Musa Qaleh, Helmand province, southern Afghanistan. WO2 O'Donnell was was commanding an Improvised Explosive Device Disposal team who were trying to make safe a confirmed IED that had been detected by a specialist search team. As a consequence of this there was an explosion and WO2 O'Donnell died shortly afterwards from the injuries he sustained in the explosion[74].

Private Jason Lee 'Suspect' Rawstron, aged 23, who was serving with C ( Bruneval ) Company, 2nd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment died instantly after suffering a gunshot wound to the head during a firefight with Taliban near FOB Gibraltar, in the town of Sangin on the 12th September. [75]

A British Soldier from 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment was killed in an explosion in Afghanistan on 13 September 2008.

Political impact

British casualties in Afghanistan have had a major political impact, although not as significant as the impact of British casualties in Iraq. This is mainly because the three main British political parties (Labour, Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats) all support British operations in the country.[76] However British casualties in the middle of 2006 did lead to the government's decision to reinforce the British contingent.[77]

Tables showing British fatalities

2008

Date of Death Name Rank Age at Death Unit Cause of Death Location of Death Place of Origin
13/09/2008 Jason Lee Rawstron Private 23 2nd Battalion Parachute Regiment Hostile Fire Near FOB Gibralter Clayton-Le-Moors
12/09/2008 Gary O'Donnell GM WO2 40 11 EOD Regiment Royal Logistics Corps Improvised Explosive Device Musa Qaleh, Helmand Province Edinburgh
04/09/2008 Justin James "Cups" Cupples Ranger 29 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment Improvised Explosive Device Sangin Town, northern Helmand United States of America
18/08/2008 Barry Dempsey Corporal 29 The Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland Improvised Explosive Device Gereshk Ayrshire
11/08/2008 Wayne Bland Signaller 21 16 Signal Regiment Suicide Bomber Kabul Leeds
29/07/2008 Peter Joe Cowton Private 25 2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment Blast - Hostile Fire Helmand Province Basingstoke Hampshire
28/07/2008 Jonathan William Mathews Sergeant 35 The Highlanders, 4th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland Gunshot Wound - Hostile Fire Lashkar Gah Helmand Edinburgh
24/07/2008 Kenneth Michael Rowe Lance Corporal 24 Royal Army Veterinary Corps, att 2PARA Hostile Fire Sangin northern Helmand Newcastle Upon Tyne
22/07/2008 Jason Stuart Barnes Corporal 25 Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers att 2PARA LAD Suspected Improvised Explosive Device Kajaki, northern Helmand Exeter, Devon
28/06/2008 James "Jimmy" Johnson Lance Corporal 21 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland Anti-personel Mine Lashkar Gah Helmand Drumchapel Strathclyde
27/06/2008 Dan Shirley WO 32 13 Air Assault Support Regiment Royal Logistic Corps Vehicle Accident Central Helmand Province Leicester
24/06/2008 Michael Williams WO2 Company Sergeant Major 40 2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment Hostile Fire Upper Sangin Valley Helmand Cardiff Wales
24/06/2008 Joe Whittaker Private 20 4th Battalion (attached to 2nd Battalion) Parachute Regiment Killed in blast while checking for mines Upper Sangin Valley Helmand Stratford-upon-Avon Warwickshire
17/06/2008 Richard Larkin Lance Corporal 39 23 Special Air Service Regiment Vehicle caught in explosion Lashkar Gah Helmand Cookley Worcestershire
17/06/2008 Sean Robert Reeve Corporal 28 Royal Corps of Signals Vehicle caught in explosion Lashkar Gah Helmand East Sussex
17/06/2008 Paul Stout Trooper 31 23 Special Air Service Regiment Vehicle caught in explosion Lashkar Gah Helmand Liverpool
17/06/2008 Sarah Bryant Corporal 26 15 Psychological Operations Group Intelligence Corps Vehicle caught in explosion Lashkar Gah Helmand Carlisle Cumbria
12/06/2008 James 'Jay' Bateman Lance Corporal 29 2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment Hostile Fire Gereshk Helmand Staines Middlesex
12/06/2008 Jeff 'Doc' Doherty Private 20 2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment Hostile Fire Gereshk Helmand Southam Warwickshire
08/06/2008 Nathan Cuthbertson Private 19 2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment Killed in blast while patrolling on foot Helmand Sunderland, Tyne and Wear
08/06/2008 Daniel Gamble Private 22 2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment Killed in blast while patrolling on foot Helmand Uckfield, East Sussex
08/06/2008 Charles David Murray Private 19 2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment Killed in blast while patrolling on foot Helmand Carlisle, Cumbria
25/05/2008 Dale Gostick Marine 22 3 Troop Armoured Support Company, Royal Marines Suspected Mine Strike Sangin crossing of the Helmand River Oxford, England
19/05/08 James Thompson[78] 27 Special Air Service (Reserve) Explosion Musa Qala Helmand province Whitley Bay, North Tyneside
02/05/08 Ratu Babakobau Trooper 29 Household Cavalry Regiment, 5 SCOTS Brigade Hostile - Mine Strike Nowzad Helmand province Fiji
21/04/08 Robert 'Chesney' Pearson Trooper 22 Queen's Royal Lancers Hostile - Mine Strike Helmand province Grimsby Lincolnshire
13/04/08 Gary 'Tommo' Thompson Senior Aircraftman 51 No 504 (County of Nottingham) Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force Regiment Hostile - Explosion (Suspected IED) Daman District Kandahar province Nottingham Nottinghamshire
13/04/08 Graham 'Livi' Livingstone Senior Aircraftman 23 3 Squadron RAF Regiment Hostile - Explosion (Suspected IED) Daman District Kandahar province Strathclyde, Scotland
30/03/08 John 'JT' Thornton Lieutenant 22 40 Commando, Royal Marines Hostile - Explosion (Suspected IED) Kajaki, Helmand Province Ferndown, Dorset
30/03/08 David 'Dave' Marsh Marine 23 40 Commando, Royal Marines Hostile - Explosion (Suspected IED) Kajaki, Helmand Province Sheffield
20/02/08 Damian 'Dee' Mulvihill Corporal 32 40 Commando, Royal Marines Hostile - IED Sangin,Helmand Province Plymouth, England
17/02/08 Damian Stephen Lawrence Corporal 25 Yorkshire Regiment Hostile - IED Kajaki, Helmand Province Scarborough, North Yorkshire, England
20/01/08 Darryl Gardiner Corporal 25 Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers att Brigade Recconaisance Force Hostile - IED 3 km north of Musa Qala district centre, Helmand Province Salisbury, Wiltshire, England

2007

Date of Death Name Rank Age at Death Unit Cause of Death Location of Death Place of Origin
08/12/07 Johnson, Lee Sergeant 32 Yorkshire Regiment Hostile - explosion (suspected mine)[79] Musa Qala, Helmand Province Stockton-on-Tees, England
04/12/07 Sadler, Jack Trooper 21 Honourable Artillery Company att Brigade Recconaisance Force Hostile - explosion North of Sangin, Helmand Province Devon, England
18/11/07 McDermid, John Captain 43 Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland Hostile - IED South of the district centre of Sangin, Helmand Province Glasgow, Scotland
09/11/07 Alderton, Jake Lance Corporal 22 20 Field Squadron, 36 Engineer Regiment, Royal Engineers Non hostile[80] - vehicle accident near the district centre of Sangin, Helmand Province Bexley, Kent, England
04/10/07 Roberts, Alexis Major 32 1st (usually 2nd) Battalion, Royal Gurkha Rifles Hostile - IED West of Kandahar, Kandahar Province Kent, England
20/09/07 Tunnicliffe, Brian Private 33 2nd Battalion, Mercian Regiment (Worcesters and Foresters) Non hostile - vehicle accident North of Gereshk, Helmand Province Ilkeston, Derbyshire, England
20/09/07 Newman, Phillip Colour Sergeant 36 4th Battalion, Mercian Regiment (West Midlands Regiment) Non hostile - vehicle accident North of Gereshk, Helmand Province Coventry, England
17/09/07 Violino, Ivano Lance Corporal 29 20 Field Squadron, 36 Engineer Regiment, Royal Engineers Hostile - explosion 19km North east of Gereshk, Helmand Province Salford, England
08/09/07 Brelsford, Craig Sergeant 25 2nd Battalion, Mercian Regiment (Worcesters and Foresters) Hostile - small arms fire [81] South of Garmsir, Helmand Province Nottingham, England
08/09/07 Botha, Johan Private 25 2nd Battalion, Mercian Regiment (Worcesters and Foresters) Hostile - small arms fire [81] South of Garmsir, Helmand Province Pretoria, South Africa
05/09/07 Wright, Damian Private 23 2nd Battalion, Mercian Regiment (Worcesters and Foresters) Hostile - explosion North of Lashkar Gah, Helmand Province Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, England
05/09/07 Ford, Ben Private 18 2nd Battalion, Mercian Regiment (Worcesters and Foresters) Hostile - explosion North of Lashkar Gah, Helmand Province Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England
30/08/07 Bridge, Christopher[82] Senior Aircraftman (Gunner) 20 C Flight, No. 51 Squadron, RAF Regiment Hostile - explosion Kandahar Province Sheffield, England
24/08/07 Thrumble, John Private 21 B (Suffolk) Company, 1st Battalion, Royal Anglian Regiment Friendly fire incident North west of Kajaki, Helmand Province Chelmsford, Essex, England
24/08/07 McClure, Aaron Private 19 B (Suffolk) Company, 1st Battalion, Royal Anglian Regiment Friendly fire incident North west of Kajaki, Helmand Province Ipswich, Suffolk, England
24/08/07 Foster, Robert Private 19 B (Suffolk) Company, 1st Battalion, Royal Anglian Regiment Friendly fire incident North west of Kajaki, Helmand Province Harlow, Essex, England
11/08/07 Hicks, David Captain 26 C (Essex) Company, 1st Battalion, Royal Anglian Regiment Hostile - small arms fire Jusyalay, north east of Sangin, Helmand Province Wokingham, Berkshire, England
10/08/07 Rawson, Tony Private 27 C (Essex) Company, 1st Battalion, Royal Anglian Regiment Hostile - small arms fire Jusyalay, north east of Sangin, Helmand Province Dagenham, London, England
29/07/07 Jones, Michael Lance Corporal 26 Royal Marines Hostile - small arms fire Nimruz Province Newbald, Yorkshire, England
27/07/07 Keen, Barry Sergeant 34 245 Signal Squadron, 14 Signal Regiment, Royal Corps of Signals Hostile - rocket attack Mirmandab, Helmand Province Rowlands Gill, Tyne and Wear, England
26/07/07 Atherton, David Guardsman 25 1st Battalion, Grenadier Guards Hostile - small arms fire Upper Gereshk Valley, Helmand Province Manchester, England
25/07/07 Hawkins, Alex Lance Corporal 22 1st Battalion, Royal Anglian Regiment Hostile - explosion North eastern outskirts of Sangin, Helmand Province East Dereham, Norfolk, England
12/07/07 Hickey, Daryl Guardsman 27 1st Battalion, Grenadier Guards Hostile - small arms fire Gereshk, Helmand Province Birmingham, England
01/07/07 Wilkinson, Dave Sergeant 33 19th Regiment, Royal Artillery Hostile - IED Gereshk, Helmand Province Ashford, Kent, England
30/06/07 Dolan, Sean Captain 40 1st Battalion, Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Hostile - mortar attack Qaleh-e-Gaz, Helmand Province Chester, North West England
24/06/07 Wright, Thomas Drummer 21 1st Battalion, Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Hostile - explosion Babaji area of Lashkar Gah, Helmand Province Ripley, Derbyshire, England
09/06/07 Downes, Neil Guardsman 20 1st Battalion, Grenadier Guards Hostile - explosion Sangin, Helmand Province Manchester, England
06/06/07 Sandford, Paul Lance Corporal 23 1st Battalion, Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Hostile - small arms fire North east of Gereshk, Helmand Province Nottingham, England
30/05/07 Gilyeat, Mike Corporal 28 Royal Military Police Possibly hostile - helicopter crash Kajaki, Helmand Province Hanover, Germany
28/05/07 Bonner, Darren Corporal 31 A (Norfolk) Company, 1st Battalion, Royal Anglian Regiment Hostile - explosion 11km east of Hyderabad in Gerishk District, Helmand Province Gorleston, Norfolk, England
26/05/07 Probyn, Daniel Guardsman 22 1st Battalion, Grenadier Guards Hostile - explosion Garmsir, Helmand Province Tipton, West Midlands, England
20/05/07 Davey, George Russell Lance Corporal 23 1st Battalion, Royal Anglian Regiment Non-hostile - firearms accident Sangin, Helmand Province Beccles, Suffolk, England
03/05/07 Davison, Simon Guardsman 22 1st Battalion, Grenadier Guards Hostile - small arms fire Garmsir, Helmand Province Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, England
13/04/07 Gray, Chris Private 19 A Company, 1st Battalion, Royal Anglian Regiment Hostile - small arms fire Helmand Province Leicester, England
08/03/07 Smith, Michael Warrant Officer Class 2 39 29 Commando Regiment, Royal Artillery Hostile - grenade attack Sangin, Helmand Province Liverpool, England
06/03/07 Reddy, Benjamin Marine 22 K Company, 42 Commando, Royal Marines Hostile - small arms fire Kajaki, Helmand Province Ascot, Berkshire, England
03/03/07 McLaughlin, Liam Lance Bombardier 21 29 Commando Regiment, Royal Artillery Hostile - rocket attack Sangin, Helmand Province Lancashire, England
03/03/07 Clark, Ross Lance Bombardier 25 29 Commando Regiment, Royal Artillery Hostile - rocket attack Sangin, Helmand Province Zimbabwe
21/02/07 Summers, Scott Marine 23 42 Commando, Royal Marines Non-hostile - vehicle accident Helmand Province Crawley, East Sussex, England
21/02/07 Holland, Jonathan Marine 23 45 Commando, Royal Marines Hostile - AP mine Sangin, Helmand Province Chorley, England
15/01/07 Ford, Matthew Lance Corporal 30 45 Commando, Royal Marines Friendly Fire[20] South of Garmsir, Helmand Province Immingham, Lincolnshire, England
13/01/07 Curry, Thomas Marine 21 M Company, 42 Commando, Royal Marines Hostile - small arms fire Kajaki, Helmand Province East London, England

2006

Date of Death Name Rank Age at Death Unit Cause of Death Location of Death Place of Origin
27/12/06 Dwyer, James Lance Bombardier 22 7 (Sphinx), 29 Commando Regiment, Royal Artillery Hostile - AT mine Southern Helmand Province South Africa
12/12/06 Watson, Richard J. Marine 23 4 Troop, K Company, 42 Commando, Royal Marines Hostile - small arms fire Northern Now Zad, North Helmand Province Caterham, Surrey, England.
05/12/06 Wigley, Jonathan Marine 21 Zulu Company, 45 Commando, Royal Marines Hostile Garmsir, Helmand Province Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, England
19/10/06 Wright, Gary Marine 22 2 Troop, Whiskey Company, 45 Commando, Royal Marines Hostile - suicide bomb Lashkar Gah, Helmand Province Glasgow, Scotland
06/09/06 Wright, Mark William (GC) Corporal 27 3rd Battalion, Parachute Regiment Hostile - land mine Kajaki, Helmand Province Edinburgh, Scotland
06/09/06 Muirhead, Paul Lance Corporal 29 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment Hostile Musa Quala, Helmand Province Bearley, Warwickshire, England
06/09/06 McCulloch, Luke Lance Corporal 21 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment Hostile Sangin, Helmand Province Cape Town, South Africa
04/09/06 O’Donnell, Craig Private 24 B Company, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 5th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland Hostile - suicide bomb Kabul Clydebank, Dunbartonshire, Scotland
02/09/06 Windall, Joseph David Marine 22 Royal Marines Non-hostile - RAF Nimrod XV230 crash incident 25 miles WNW of Kandahar Airfield, Panjwaye District, Kandahar Hazlemere, Buckinghamshire, England
02/09/06 Swarbrick, Steven Flight Lieutenant (pilot) 28 No. 120 Squadron, RAF Non-hostile - RAF Nimrod XV230 crash incident 25 miles WNW of Kandahar Airfield, Panjwaye District, Kandahar Liverpool, England
02/09/06 Squires, Allan James Flight Lieutenant (pilot and captain 39 No. 120 Squadron, RAF Non-hostile - RAF Nimrod XV230 crash incident 25 miles WNW of Kandahar Airfield, Panjwaye District, Kandahar Clatterbridge, England
02/09/06 Quilliam, Gary Paul Sergeant (Weapons Systems Operator) 42 No. 120 Squadron, RAF Non-hostile - RAF Nimrod XV230 crash incident 25 miles WNW of Kandahar Airfield, Panjwaye District, Kandahar Manchester, England
02/09/06 Nicholas, Gareth Rodney Flight Lieutenant (Weapon System Officer - Navigator) 40 No. 120 Squadron, RAF Non-hostile - RAF Nimrod XV230 crash incident 25 miles WNW of Kandahar Airfield, Panjwaye District, Kandahar Newquay, Cornwall, England
02/09/06 Mitchelmore, Leigh Anthony Flight Lieutenant (Weapon System Officer - Navigator) 28 No. 120 Squadron, RAF Non-hostile - RAF Nimrod XV230 crash incident 25 miles WNW of Kandahar Airfield, Panjwaye District, Kandahar Bournemouth, England
02/09/06 Langton, John Joseph Sergeant (Weapons Systems Operator) 29 No. 120 Squadron, RAF Non-hostile - RAF Nimrod XV230 crash incident 25 miles WNW of Kandahar Airfield, Panjwaye District, Kandahar Liverpool, England
02/09/06 Knight, Benjamin James Sergeant (Weapons Systems Operator) 25 No. 120 Squadron, RAF Non-hostile - RAF Nimrod XV230 crash incident 25 miles WNW of Kandahar Airfield, Panjwaye District, Kandahar Bridgewater, England
02/09/06 Johnson, Steven Flight Lieutenant (Weapon System Officer - Navigator) 38 No. 120 Squadron, RAF Non-hostile - RAF Nimrod XV230 crash incident 25 miles WNW of Kandahar Airfield, Panjwaye District, Kandahar Collingham, Nottinghamshire, England
02/09/06 Dicketts, Oliver Simon Lance Corporal 27 Parachute Regiment Non-hostile - RAF Nimrod XV230 crash incident 25 miles WNW of Kandahar Airfield, Panjwaye District, Kandahar Wadhurst, East Sussex, England
02/09/06 Davies, Adrian Flight Sergeant (Air Engineer) 49 No. 120 Squadron, RAF Non-hostile - RAF Nimrod XV230 crash incident 25 miles WNW of Kandahar Airfield, Panjwaye District, Kandahar Amersham, Buckinghamshire, England
02/09/06 Bell, Gerard Martin Flight Sergeant (Weapons System Operator) 48 No. 120 Squadron, RAF Non-hostile - RAF Nimrod XV230 crash incident 25 miles WNW of Kandahar Airfield, Panjwaye District, Kandahar Cambridgeshire, England
02/09/06 Beattie, Stephen Flight Sergeant (Weapons System Operator) 42 No. 120 Squadron, RAF Non-hostile - RAF Nimrod XV230 crash incident 25 miles WNW of Kandahar Airfield, Panjwaye District, Kandahar Dundee, Scotland
02/09/06 Andrews, Gary Wayne Flight Sergeant 48 No. 120 Squadron, RAF Non-hostile - RAF Nimrod XV230 crash incident 25 miles WNW of Kandahar Airfield, Panjwaye District, Kandahar Tankerton, Kent, England
01/09/06 Draiva, Anare Ranger 27 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment Hostile Musa Qala, Helmand Province Fiji
27/08/06 Hetherington, Jonathan Lance Corporal 22 14 Signal Regiment Royal Signals Hostile - small arms fire Musa Qala, Helmand Province Salisbury, England
20/08/06 Bryan James Budd VC Corporal 29 3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment Hostile fire - small arms fire Sangin (Helmand province) Ripon, England
12/08/06 Tansey, Sean Lance Corporal 26 Life Guards, Household Cavalry Regiment Non-hostile - accident [21] Helmand province Washington, Tyne and Wear, England
09/08/06 Reeves, Leigh Private 25 Royal Logistic Corps Non-hostile - vehicle accident Kabul (Camp Souter) Leicester, England
06/08/06 Cutts, Andrew Barrie Private 19 13 Air Assault Support Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps Hostile fire - small arms fire Musa Qala, Helmand Province Blidworth, England
01/08/06 Nicholl, Ross Lance Corporal 27 Household Cavalry Regiment Hostile fire - small arms fire + RPG's Northern Helmand Province Edinburgh, Scotland
01/08/06 Johnson, Ralph 2nd Lieutenant 24 Household Cavalry Regiment Hostile fire - small arms fire + RPG's Northern Helmand Province Windsor, England
01/08/06 Eida, Alex Captain 29 7th Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery Hostile fire - small arms fire + RPG's Northern Helmand Province Hooley, England
05/07/06 Jackson, Damien Raymond Private 19 3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment Hostile fire - small arms fire Sangin (Helmand Province) South Shields, England
01/07/06 Thorpe, Peter Corporal 27 14 Signal Regiment Royal Signals Hostile fire - RPG Sangin District (Helmand Province) Barrow-in-Furness, England
01/07/06 Hashmi, Jabron Lance Corporal 24 Intelligence Corps Hostile fire - RPG Sangin District (Helmand Province) Bordersley Green, Birmingham, England
27/06/06 Patten, David Captain 38 Special Reconnaissance Regiment[22] Hostile - RPG Sangin valley (Helmand Province) Aghadowey, Northern Ireland
27/06/06 Paul Bartlett Sergeant 35 Special Boat Service[23] Hostile - RPG Sangin valley (Helmand Province) Poole, England
11/06/06 Philippson, Jim Captain 29 7th Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery Hostile - small arms fire Helmand Province St Albans, England
27/03/06 Craddock, Peter Edward Lance Corporal ? 1st Battalion, Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Light Infantry Non-hostile - vehicle accident Lashkar Gah (Helmand Province) Newberry, England
22/03/06 Cridge, Mark Corporal 25 7 Signal Regiment, Royal Signals Non-hostile - Suicide [83] Camp Bastion (Helmand Province) Unreported

2005

Date of Death Name Rank Age at Death Unit Cause of Death Location of Death Place of Origin
29/10/05 Sherwood, Steven Gregory Lance Corporal 23 1st Battalion, Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Light Infantry Hostile - small arms fire Darwaz-e-Shadian, Mazari Sharif Ross-on-Wye, England

2004

Date of Death Name Rank Age at Death Unit Cause of Death Location of Death Place of Origin
28/01/04 Kitulagoda, Jonathan Private 23 E (Devon & Dorset) Company, The Rifle Volunteers, (Territorial Army) Hostile fire - suicide bomber Kabul Plymouth, England

2003

There were no British deaths in Afghanistan in 2003

2002

Date of Death Name Rank Age at Death Unit Cause of Death Location of Death Place of Origin
16/08/02 Busuttil, Robert Sergeant 30 Royal Logistic Corps Non-hostile - homicide British base at Kabul International Airport Tycoch, England
16/08/02 Gregory, John Corporal 30 Royal Logistic Corps Non-hostile - suicide British base at Kabul International Airport Catterick, England
09/04/02 George, Darren John Private 23 1st Battalion, Royal Anglian Regiment Non-hostile - accidental weapon discharge Kabul Basildon, England

See also

References

  1. ^ Ministry of Defence factsheet - Operations in Afghanistan: British Fatalities
  2. ^ Operations in Afghanistan: British Fatalities
  3. ^ Ministry of Defence factsheet - Casualties
  4. ^ BBC - Private Darren John George
  5. ^ BBC - Army criticised by coroner after soldier shot dead a colleague before killing himself at party where both drink and guns were easily available.
  6. ^ BBC - Part-time soldier dies in bombing
  7. ^ MoD Press release - Private Jonathan Kitulagoda
  8. ^ People In Defence news article - Lance Corporal Steven Sherwood
  9. ^ Military Operations news article - Private Leigh Reeves
  10. ^ Military Operations news article - Private Craig O'Donnell
  11. ^ BBC - Corporal Mark Cridge
  12. ^ Hansard report on Oxfordshire coroners' inquests of servicemen and related civilian deaths 1998 to May 2006
  13. ^ BBC - Lance Corporal Peter Edward Craddock
  14. ^ BBC - Captain Jim Philippson
  15. ^ Military Operations news article - Captain David Patten & Sergeant Paul Bartlett
  16. ^ BBC - Corporal Peter Thorpe & Lance Corporal Jabron Hashmi
  17. ^ Military Operations news article - Private Damien Raymond Jackson
  18. ^ Military Operations news article: Captain Alex Eida, 2nd Lieutenant Ralph Johnson and Lance Corporal Ross Nicholl
  19. ^ Military Operations news article: Private Andrew Cutts
  20. ^ "Lance Corporal Sean Tansey". BBC News. Accident death UK soldier named
  21. ^ "Lance Corporal Sean Tansey - Death due to MoD Negligence". Sky News. Coroner: Soldier Died Due To Neglect
  22. ^ BBC - Corporal Bryan Budd
  23. ^ "Corporal Bryan Budd VC". www.victoriacross.org.uk. Thursday, 14th December 2006. The Ministry of Defence has confirmed the award of a posthumous Victoria Cross for acts of "inspirational leadership and the greatest valour"
  24. ^ BBC: Lance Corporal Jonathan Hetherington
  25. ^ Military Operations news article: Ranger Anare Draiva
  26. ^ Military Operations news article: Fourteen Personnel in Nimrod Crash Named
  27. ^ Military Operations news article: Corporal Mark Wright
  28. ^ Military Operations news article: Lance Corporal Pail Muirhead
  29. ^ Military Operations news article: Lance Corporal Luke McCulloch
  30. ^ BBC Scotland: Marine Gary Wright
  31. ^ Military Operations news article - Marine Jonathan Wigley
  32. ^ Military Operations news article - Marine Richard Watson
  33. ^ Military Operations news article - Lance Bombardier James Dwyer
  34. ^ Military Operations news article - Marine Thomas Curry
  35. ^ Military Operations news article - Lance Corporal Mathew Ford
  36. ^ Military Operations news article - L/Cpl Ford - Board of Enquiry
  37. ^ Military Operations news article - Marine Jonathan Holland
  38. ^ Military Operations news article - Marine Scott Summers
  39. ^ Military Operations news article - Lance Bombardier Ross Clark
  40. ^ Military Operations news article - Marine Benjamin Reddy
  41. ^ Military Operations news article - Warrant Officer Class 2 Michael Smith
  42. ^ Military Operations news article - Private Chris Grey
  43. ^ Military Operations news article - Corporal Mike Gilyeat
  44. ^ Military Operations news article - Corporal Darren Bonner
  45. ^ Military Operations news article - Guardsman Daniel Probyn
  46. ^ Military Operations news article - Lance Corporal George Russell Davey
  47. ^ "LCpl George Russell Davey shooting incident". BBC News. Gun death was 'cleaning accident'
  48. ^ Military Operations news article - Guardsman Simon Davison
  49. ^ "Lance Corporal Paul "Sandy" Sandford". Uk MoD. The Ministry of Defence must confirm the death of Lance Corporal Paul "Sandy" Sandford
  50. ^ "Guardsman Neil 'Tony' Downes". UK MoD. Ministry of Defence must confirm the death of Guardsman Neil 'Tony' Downes.
  51. ^ "Drummer Thomas Wright". UK MoD. Drummer Thomas Wright joined The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment in 2003
  52. ^ "Captain Sean Dolan". UK MoD. The Ministry of Defence confirms the death of Captain Sean Dolan of the 1st Battalion, The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment
  53. ^ "Sergeant Dave Wilkinson". Military Operations news article. Sergeant Dave Wilkinson from 19 Regiment Royal Artillery killed in Afghanistan
  54. ^ "Guardsman Daryl Hickey". UK MoD 'Military Operations' news article. It is with profound sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm the death of Guardsman Daryl Hickey.
  55. ^ Military Operations news article - Senior Aircraftman Christopher Bridge
  56. ^ Military Operations news article - Private Aaron James (Troy) McClure, Private Robert Graham Foster & Private John Thrumble.
  57. ^ Military Operations news article - Captain David Hicks
  58. ^ Military Operations news article - Private Tony Rawson
  59. ^ "Soldier Killed In Afghanistan". MoD Oracle. It is with deep sadness that the Ministry of Defence has confirmed the death of James Thompson in Afghanistan on 19 May 2008.
  60. ^ "Privates Nathan Cuthbertson, Daniel Gamble and Charles Murray killed in Afghanistan". UK MoD. At approximately 1100 hours local time, the soldiers were on a routine foot patrol 1km west of their Forward Operating Base in the Upper Sangin Valley when their patrol suffered a suicide explosive device.
  61. ^ "Lance Corporal James Bateman and Private Jeff Doherty killed in Afghanistan". UK MoD. The MoD must confirm the deaths of Lance Corporal James Bateman and Private Jeff Doherty of 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment
  62. ^ "Corporal Sarah Bryant, Corporal Sean Reeve, Lance Corporal Richard Larkin And Paul Stout Killed In Afghanistan". UK MoD. It is with deep regret that the Ministry of Defence must confirm the deaths of Corporal Sarah Bryant of the Intelligence Corps, Corporal Sean Robert Reeve of the Royal Signals, Lance Corporal Richard Larkin and Paul Stout in Afghanistan on Tuesday 17 June 2008.
  63. ^ "Warrant Officer Class 2 Michael Norman Williams killed in Afghanistan". UK MoD. WO2 Michael Williams was killed during a firefight. He was on a deliberate operation against the Taliban in the Upper Sangin Valley when he was fatally wounded
  64. ^ "Private Joe John Whittaker Killed In Afghanistan". UK MoD. Private Joe Whittaker, a reserve soldier who was attached to 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, was killed by a suspected Improvised Explosive Device
  65. ^ "Warrant Officer Class 2 Dan Shirley Killed In Afghanistan". UK MoD. WO2 Shirley was killed during a Logistic Patrol from Sangin to Camp Bastion at 2110 hrs local time when the Land Rover WMIK he was travelling in rolled, trapping him beneath it.
  66. ^ "Lance Corporal James Johnson". UK MoD. LCpl Johnson was part of a vehicle checkpoint patrol operating in the Lashkar Gar area, when he was killed by an anti-personnel mine.
  67. ^ "Corporal Jason Stuart Barnes". UK MoD. The Ministry of Defence must confirm the death of Corporal Jason Stuart Barnes from the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.
  68. ^ "Lance Corporal Kenneth Michael Rowe". UK MoD. The MoD must confirm the death of Lance Corporal Kenneth Michael Rowe of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps, attached to 2nd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment
  69. ^ "Sergeant Jonathan William Mathews". UK MoD. MoD must confirm the death of Sergeant Jonathan William Mathews of The Highlanders, 4th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland
  70. ^ "Private Peter Joe Cowton". UK MoD. Ministry of Defence must confirm the death of Private Peter Joe Cowton from 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment in Helmand province
  71. ^ "Signaller Wayne Bland". MoD. It is with great sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm the death of Signaller Wayne Bland, from 16 Signal Regiment, in Kabul, Afghanistan.
  72. ^ "Corporal Barry Dempsey". UK MoD. The Ministry of Defence must confirm the death of Corporal Barry Dempsey from The Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland
  73. ^ "Ranger Justin James Cupples". Uk MoD. The Ministry of Defence must confirm the death of Ranger Justin James Cupples of 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment.
  74. ^ "WO2 Gary O'Donnell". UK MoD. 12 Sep 08. Retrieved 2008-09-13. WO2 O'Donnell, 40, died from injuries sustained from an Improvised Explosive Device in Musa Qaleh, Helmand province. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  75. ^ "Pte Jason Rawstron". UK MoD. 13 Sept 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-13. Private Rawstron was killed when his patrol were engaged in an exchange of fire with the Taliban {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  76. ^ Lib Dems website
  77. ^ "Britain to put in more troops as attacks mount". The Independant. Britain's beleaguered troops in southern Afghanistan are to be heavily reinforced after a request from defence chiefs.
  78. ^ Funeral today for soldier killed in Afghanistan - News Guardian
  79. ^ Ministry of Defence | Defence News | Sergeant Lee Johnson of 2nd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment killed in Afghanistan
  80. ^ Ministry of Defence | Defence News | Lance Corporal Jake Alderton of 36 Engineer Regiment killed in Afghanistan
  81. ^ a b BBC NEWS | Special Reports | 629 | 629 | British military fatalities in Afghanistan
  82. ^ UK MoD: Senior Aircraftman Christopher Bridge, 51 Squadron Royal Air Force Regiment, killed in Afghanistan
  83. ^ Hansard Report of Oxfordshire coroners' inquests of servicemen and related civilian deaths 1998 to May 2006
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