In Memoriam: Killed in Action in Southern Afghanistan

My post just over a year ago on the British servicemen killed in action in southern Afghanistan has long since slipped out of sight on this blog. At the time I put it up, when 14 servicemen were killed in the explosion of Nimrod XV230, their deaths had brought the numbers killed in action in southern Afghanistan in six months to 28. Since I put it up, a further 57 have died in action. The old post, with its comments and tributes, will remain in the archive. But it is time to put up a new post that will remind us all how many have died in our name.

The Iraq War was immensely unpopular in Britain and there is a danger that as a result, we will forget that our troops don’t decide where they fight. They fought in Iraq and Afghanistan because the politicians we voted in decided that is what should happen. The soldiers are in fact merely doing the politicians’ bidding, and therefore our bidding. Whether or not you supported the war in Iraq or the current campaign in Afghanistan, do not blame the British servicemen and women who are dying on your behalf.

The total killed in action in southern Afghanistan since June 2006 is now 86. Unlike the MoD's list, this blog includes anyone killed in combat whether or not it is deemed officially to be non-combat related, as in the case of the 14 servicemen killed when their Nimrod aircraft exploded over Kandahar province. They all died in action. An additional nine servicemen have died elsewhere in Afghanistan since October 2001, three of them in action prior to the current deployment, two as a result of bomb blasts in Kabul and four as a result of illness or non-combat related accidents.

[Photograph: Keith Waldegrave]

May all of these brave British personnel rest in peace, whatever the circumstances of their death, and may their families and friends find comfort in the knowledge that they were decent, honourable people simply serving their country. These are the names of those killed in action in southern Afghanistan.

Captain Jim Philippson of 7 Parachute Regiment RHA died at Sangin on Sunday 11 June 2006.

Captain David Patten of the Special Reconnaisance Regiment died at Sangin on 27 June 2006.

Sergeant Paul Bartlett of the Special Boat Service died at Sangin on 27 June 2006.

Corporal Peter Thorpe of 14 Signal Regiment died at Sangin on Saturday 1 July 2006.

Lance Corporal Jabron Hashmi of 14 Signal Regiment died at Sangin on Saturday 1 July 2006.

Private Damien Jackson of 3 Battalion, the Parachute Regiment died at Sangin on Wednesday 5 July 2006.

Captain Alex Eida, of 7 Parachute Regiment RHA died at Musa Qala on Tuesday 1 August 2006.

2nd Lieutenant Ralph Johnson of the Life Guards died at Musa Qala on Tuesday 1 August 2006.

Lance Corporal Ross Nicholls of the Blues and Royals died at Musa Qala on Tuesday 1 August 2006.

Private Andrew Barrie Cutts of 13 Air Assault Support Regiment died at Musa Qala on Sunday 6 August 2006.

Lance Corporal Sean Tansey of the Life Guards died at Sangin on Saturday 12 August 2006.

Corporal Bryan James Budd of 3 Battalion, the Parachute Regiment died on Sunday 20 August 2006 of wounds sustained at Sangin.

Lance Corporal Jonathan Peter Hetherington of 14 Signal Regiment died at Musa Qala on Sunday 27 August 2006.

Ranger Anare Draiva of the Royal Irish Regiment died at Musa Qala on Friday 1 September 2006.

Flight Lieutenant Steven Johnson of the RAF died at Chil Khor on Saturday 2 September 2006.

Flight Lieutenant Leigh Anthony Mitchelmore of the RAF died at Chil Khor on Saturday 2 September 2006.

Flight Lieutenant Gareth Rodney Nicholas of the RAF died at Chil Khor on Saturday 2 September 2006.

Flight Lieutenant Allan James Squires of the RAF died at Chil Khor on Saturday 2 September 2006.

Flight Lieutenant Steven Swarbrick of the RAF died at Chil Khor on Saturday 2 September 2006.

Flight Sergeant Gary Wayne Andrews of the RAF died at Chil Khor on Saturday 2 September 2006.

Flight Sergeant Stephen Beattie of the RAF died at Chil Khor on Saturday 2 September 2006.

Flight Sergeant Gerard Martin Bell of the RAF died at Chil Khor on Saturday 2 September 2006.

Flight Sergeant Adrian Davies of the RAF died at Chil Khor on Saturday 2 September 2006.

Sergeant Benjamin James Knight of the RAF died at Chil Khor on Saturday 2 September 2006.

Sergeant John Joseph Langton of the RAF died at Chil Khor on Saturday 2 September 2006.

Sergeant Gary Paul Quilliam of the RAF died at Chil Khor on Saturday 2 September 2006.

Lance Corporal Oliver Simon Dicketts of 1 Battalion, the Parachute Regiment, part of the Special Forces Support Group, died at Chil Khor on Saturday 2 September 2006.

Marine Joseph David Windall of the Royal Marines, attached to the Special Boat Service, died at Chil Khor on Saturday 2 September 2006.

Lance Corporal Paul Muirhead of the Royal Irish Regiment died on 6 September 2006 of wounds sustained at Musa Qala.

Lance Corporal Luke McCulloch of the Royal Irish Regiment died at Sangin on 6 September 2006.

Corporal Mark Wright of the 3 Battalion, Parachute Regiment, died at Kajaki on 6 September 2006.

Marine Gary Wright of 45 Commando, Royal Marines, died at Lashkar Gah on 20 October 2006.

Marine Jonathan Wigley of 45 Commando, Royal Marines, died at Garmsir on 5 December 2006.

Marine Richard Watson of 42 Commando, Royal Marines, died at Nowzad on 12 December 2006.

Lance Bombardier James Dwyer of 29 Commando Regiment, Royal Artillery, died at Garmsir on 27 December 2006

Marine Thomas Curry of 42 Commando, Royal Marines, died at Kajaki on 13 January 2007

Lance Corporal Mathew Ford of 45 Commando, Royal Marines, died at Garmsir on 15 January 2007

Lance Bombardier James Dwyer of 29 Commando Regiment, Royal Artillery, died at Garmsir on 14 February 2007

Marine Jonathan Holland of 45 Commando, Royal Marines, died at Sangin on 21 February 2007

Lance Bombardier Ross Clark of 29 Commando Regiment, Royal Artillery, died at Sangin on 3 March 2007

Lance Bombardier Liam McLaughlin of 29 Commando Regiment, Royal Artillery, died at Sangin on 3 March 2007

Marine Benjamin Reddy of 42 Commando, Royal Marines, died at Kajaki on 6 March 2007.

WO2 Michael Smith of 29 Commando Regiment, Royal Artillery, died at Sangin on 8 March 2007.

Private Chris Gray, 1 Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment, died at Nowzad on 13 April 2007.

Guardsman Simon Davison, 1 Battalion, The Grenadier Guards, died at Garmsir on 3 May 2007

Lance-Corporal George Russell Davey, 1 Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment, died at Sangin on Sunday 20 May 2007

Guardsman Daniel Probyn, 1 Battalion, The Grenadier Guards, died at Garmsir on 26 May 2007

Corporal Darren Bonner, 1 Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment, died near Hyderabad on 28 May 2007

Corporal Mike Gilyeat, the Royal Military Police, died at Kajaki on 30 May 2007

Lance-Corporal Paul Sandford, 1 Battalion, The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters, died at Gereshk on 6 June 2007

Guardsman Neil "Tony" Downes, 1 Battalion, The Grenadier Guards, died at Sangin on 9 June 2007

Drummer Thomas Wright, 1 Battalion, The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters, died at Lashkar Gah on 24 June 2007

Captain Sean Dolan, 1 Battalion, The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters, died at Sangin on 30 June 2007

Sergeant Dave Wilkinson, 19 Regiment Royal Artillery, died at Gereshk on 1 July 2007

Guardsman Daryl Hickey, 1 Battalion, The Grenadier Guards, died at Gereshk on 12 July 2007

Lance Corporal Alex Hawkins, 1 Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, died at Sangin on 25 July 2007

Guardsman David Atherton, 1 Battalion, The Grenadier Guards, died at Mirmandab on 26 July 2007

Sergeant Barry Keen, 14 Signals Regiment, died at Mirmandab on 27 July 2007

Lance-Corporal Michael Jones of the Special Boat Service died in Nimruz on 29 July 2007

Private Tony Rawson, 1 Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, died at Sangin on 10 August 2007

Captain David Hicks of 1 Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, died at Sangin on 11 August 2007

Private Aaron James McClure, 1 Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, died at Kajaki on 23 August 2007

Private Robert Graham Foster, 1 Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, died at Kajaki on 23 August 2007

Private John Thrumble, 1 Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, died at Kajaki on 23 August 2007

Senior Aircraftman Christopher Bridge, 51 Squadron Royal Air Force Regiment, died at Kandahar on 30 August 2007

Private Ben Ford, 2nd Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Worcesters and Foresters), died at on 5 September 2007

Private Damian Wright, 2nd Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Worcesters and Foresters), died at on 5 September 2007

Sergeant Craig Brelsford, 2nd Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Worcesters and Foresters), died at Garmsir on 8 September 2007

Private Johan Botha, 2nd Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Worcesters and Foresters), died at Garmsir on 8 September 2007

Lance Corporal Ivano Violino, 36 Engineer Regiment, died at Gereshk on 17 September 2007

Colour Sergeant Phillip Newman, 4th Battalion, The Mercian Regiment, died at Gereshk on 20 September 2007

Private Brian Tunnicliffe, 2nd Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Worcesters and Foresters), died at Gereshk on 20 September September 2007

Major Alexis Roberts, 1st Battalion, The Royal Gurkha Rifles, died at Kandahar on 4 October 2007

Lance Corporal Jake Alderton, 36 Engineer Regiment,  died at Sangin on 9 November 2007

Captain John McDermid, The Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, died at Sangin on 14 November 2007

Trooper Jack Sadler, The Honourable Artillery Company, died at Sangin on 4 December 2007

Sergeant Lee Johnson, 2nd Battalion, The Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards), died at Musa Qala on 8 December 2007

Corporal Darryl Gardiner of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, died at Musa Qala on 20 January 2008

Corporal Damian Lawrence of the 2nd Battalion, The Yorkshire Regiment, died at Kajaki on 17 February 2008

Corporal Damian Mulvihill of 40 Commando, Royal Marines, died at Sangin on 20 February 2008

Lieutenant John Thornton of 40 Commando, Royal Marines, died at Kajaki on 30 March 2008

Marine David Marsh of 40 Commando, Royal Marines, died at Kajaki on 30 March 2008

Senior Aircraftman Graham Livingston, Royal Air Force Regiment, died at Kandahar on 13 April 2008

Senior Aircraftman Gary Thompson of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force Regiment, died at Kandahar on 13 April 2008

Trooper Robert Pearson of the Queen's Royal Lancers, died at Camp Bastion on 21 April 2008

Trooper Ratu Babakobau of the Household Cavalry died north of Nowzad on 2 May 2008

"They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted;
They fell with their faces to the foe.
They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them."
From For the Fallen by Laurence Binyon.

Comments

[Neil Murphy]

"At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.""

Unfortunately we don't. The british public of gone glassy eyed at the wars.

No one really knows what we are now doing in Afghanistan or Iraq, no one has any sense it's for us. And unfortunately ists the very professionalismof the soldiers that distances us from them. We no longer really see them in public, they are not part of our communities. They volunteer and are paid to fight in the eyes of many they are only one step away from mercenaries.

"The soldiers are in fact merely doing the politicians’ bidding, and therefore our bidding. "

Not true. The politicians do what they want and we haev little say in it, especially as the two main parties support the war and are largely indistinguishable.

The post bis a good one, but British public simply don't care and turn their backs on the whole thing.

[William 29]

Honour, decency and service and may I add pride. Yes I am proud of being accorded the privelege to have served in HM forces. The general public can, I suppose, be forgiven to some extent for their views. They see self seeking politicians who see stating falsehoods as the accepted norm. I believe that most think that all of the establishment is now corrupt. Senior officers of the armed forces must accept that they have not been vocal enough in protecting those they command whilst ensuring they protect their own promotion prospects.

[william 29]

Simonides of Ceos (After Battle of Themopylae):

"Go tell the Spartans thou passest by, That FAITHFUL to their precepts, here we lie"

[Chuck Unsworth]

I'm not convinced that the British Public has actually forgotten these brave and honourable young men and women, nor the sacrifices of their wounded colleagues, nor those of their families.

Current press reports and comment is, generally, sympathetic. Whether there is sufficient public rage and disgust at the treatment of these young people is another question. I fear not.

However, there are some who are fighting another war - and that is against apathy and those politically driven apparatchiks who have nonchalantly placed our people in harm's way. It's nothing like as dangerous or damaging, of course, but necessary nonetheless.

Why should this 'communications' war be necessary, anyway? Quite simply it is because our people have not been and are not treated fairly or with honour.

And yet the armed forces have always acted honourably and with forbearance. Remembrance Day is only a few weeks away. It would be no bad thing if all of those with conscience took part in the parades and services which are held across the whole of Britain on that day, even if that is only to stand and watch and honour their servicemen.

[William 29]

KIA - This at least bestows a dubious honour on the fallen - Killed by neglect, incompetence or penny pinching is unforgiveable. As I look up at the eroding names on a disgracefully neglected memorial, my emotions urge me to stand in apologetic silence. I know only to well when and where they fell but I struggle to convince myself why.

[William 29]

Dear Mick,

I do fear that if your Roll of Honour is read within half a mile of parliament you could be contravening the Organised Serious Crime act 2005. Maya Evans was arrested and put on trial for reading out a list of the dead. We dishonour once again those who believed they were fighting for "freedom" including free speech.