On 26th April, Guardsman Roland deployed with his company on a three-day operation to disrupt insurgent activity in an area north of Nahr-e Saraj. On the morning of 27th April he was fatally wounded during an exchange of small arms fire. He was extracted back to the hospital in Camp Bastion but sadly he died of his injuries.
23-year-old Guardsman Roland was born in Worthing. After completing his infantry training in November 2009, he moved to Nijmegen Company, Grenadier Guards, in London. He spent a year conducting public duties at the royal palaces and participating in state ceremonial tasks.
Guardsman Roland joined the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards in November 2010 and was placed in the Queen's Company. His first year in the battalion included field training in the UK and an exercise in Canada. From September 2011 he undertook six months of preparatory training for his first tour of Afghanistan.
Lieutenant Colonel James Bowder, Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, said of Guardsman Roland: "Sparky, diligent and super-fit, he was a terrific soldier with a bright future. That he achieved so much in his short life is testament to his drive and ambition. He was an absolute pleasure to command and will be missed hugely by the battalion and the regimental family as a whole."
Lance Corporal Clarke, Fire Team Commander, the Queen's Company, said: "Mike was a caring bloke. He had so many ambitions. He took part in so many activities and was always up for a good laugh and a fair few beers with the boys. He was never afraid to lead the way, and we had a lot of good times together."
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