Royal Marine Sergeant Luke Taylor killed in Helmand

Royal Marine Sergeant Luke Taylor was one of two British soldiers shot and killed at the main entrance to Lashkar Gah Main Operating Base in Helmand province on Monday, 26th March 2012.

33-year-old Sergeant Taylor, from Bournemouth, joined the Royal Marines in 1997. He had been in Afghanistan for just four weeks. His Commanding Officer said: "Sergeant Taylor epitomised everything positive about the military – he worked hard and played hard and his efforts here in Helmand will not be forgotten."

A colour sergeant from the Royal Marines said: "Luke, you had a Heart of Oak that came with loyalty and a brilliant sense of humour. These are the traits of an inspired father, loving husband, Royal Marine and quality oppo. Stand Easy Royal."

A sergeant from the Royal Marines said: "Luke, a hoofing Bootneck, hoofing bloke, hoofing mate. Always with a smile on your face and the ability to make us all laugh - you will be sorely missed your friend and brother in arms."

Sgt. Taylor married in 2008 and leaves behind his beloved wife, Nicola, and their young son, Roan.

*Due to the nature of Sergeant Taylor's work, the above quotes have been anonymised*

Two British soldiers killed by Afghan Army soldier

Two British soldiers have been killed today (26 March 2012) by an Afghan National Army soldier at the Lashkar Gah base in Helmand province, southern Afghanistan.

The two servicemen, Royal Marine Sergeant Luke Taylor and Lance Corporal Michael Foley from the Adjutant General's Corps, were serving as part of Task Force Helmand when they were shot and killed at the main entrance to the base.

The gunman was killed as troops reacted to the shooting.

Royal Marines Commando Captain Tom Jennings

British Royal Marines Commando Captain Tom Jennings was killed on 22nd December 2011 when the vehicle he was travelling in struck an explosive device whilst on an operation to the south of Kabul.

Capt Jennings, aged 29, was a true leader, selfless in his professional approach serving those who were his responsibility. Dedicated and humble, he was an archetypal Royal Marine with a keen sense of humour even when faced with adversity. Whilst working with the Afghan forces that he partnered, he displayed empathy and a broad cultural understanding that ensured he was highly valued by the Afghans as well as his Royal Marine brothers.

He was devoted to his wife and their two young sons whose loss cannot be portrayed in words. The Royal Marines have lost a brother, they have lost their world.

Squadron Leader Anthony Downing, Royal Air Force, was also killed in the same incident.

British Royal Marine Commando killed by bomb blast

British Royal Marine Commando, Captain Tom Jennings, was killed in action on Thursday 22nd December 2011 after the vehicle in which he was travelling was caught in an explosion south of Kabul.

British Commando David Fairbrother killed in action

British Marine Commando David Fairbrother, of Kilo Company, 42 Commando Royal Marines, was killed in action in Helmand province, Afghanistan on 19th September 2011. The Commando and his unit were ambushed by enemy forces while conducting a joint patrol with the Afghan National Army in Khorgajat, Nahr-e Saraj.

Born in February 1987, Marine Fairbrother joined the Royal Marines in November 2009 and joined 42 Commando in September 2010.

His sharp mind and strong soldiering skills made him a natural choice for training as a member of an All Arms Search Team, seeing him conduct numerous compound clearances at significant risk in order to ensure the safety of his comrades.

Marine Fairbrother was a highly motivated Royal Marine who was excelling in his first appointment and had aspirations to specialise in the Landing Craft branch on his return from operations. His passion for testing himself both physically and mentally was epitomised by his hobbies of Skydiving and Waterpolo. He was a Marine with great potential who will be sorely missed.

Marine Fairbrother leaves his mother Julie, sisters Ruth and Emily and his girlfriend Melissa.

British Marine Commando James Wright

Royal Marine James Robert Wright was killed in action in Afghanistan on 5th August 2011 after a grenade was thrown into his patrol's checkpoint. 22-year-old Marine Wright, from Weymouth, Dorset, died later from his injuries.

Before the incident, the Marine from 42 Commando had been on foot patrol in the Nad-e Ali district of Helmand province when they came under fire from insurgents. With the help of mortars and close air support, the group broke contact with the insurgents and returned to their checkpoint. They then came under further attack, which is when Marine Wright fell.

His family has said how proud they were of him and how he "touched the lives of everyone who knew him". Marine Wright's partner Shelley is expecting their baby.

Major Aaron Fisher, Officer Commanding, Juliet Company, 42 Commando Royal Marines, said of Marine Wright that his "courage, heart and gentle manner will be long remembered".

Tributes from his family and comrades say it all: "he was a hero who died for his country."

British Commando killed in action

A British Royal Marine from 42 Commando was killed in action on Friday 5th August 2011 during a contact with enemy forces while on foot patrol in the Nad-e Ali district of Helmand Province.

After an initial attack by insurgents, the Commando patrol returned to their checkpoint. As they prepared to redeploy, they came under fire again. The injured Marine was evacuated to Camp Bastion hospital where he died from his wounds.

More information to follow.

Two British Commandos killed in Helmand

Two British Commandos from 42 Commando Royal Marines were killed in Afghanistan on Friday 27th May 2011.

The Marines were killed by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) while on a joint Afghan National Security Force (ANSF) and International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) operation to clear parts of the Loy Mandeh area of the Nad-e Ali (North) District of Helmand Province.

UPDATE: The two marines have been named: Lt. Oliver Augustin and Marine Samuel Alexander MC

Marine Commando Nigel Mead

Marine Nigel Dean Mead, serving with 42 Commando Royal Marines was killed in Afghanistan on Sunday 15th May 2011.

Marine Mead was conducting a search operation for hidden explosives when a bomb was detonated. He died from his injuries.

Marine Nigel Dean Mead was born on 9th October 1991. He lived with his mother, Amanda, and sister in Carmarthen. He studied at Queen Elizabeth High School in Carmarthen until he joined the Royal Marines.

He joined the Royal Marines on 27th October 2008, aged 17. It was Marine Mead's first employment after leaving school, and he enjoyed the demanding rigour of the Royal Marines. 

He passed fit for duty as a Royal Marines Commando on 3rd July 2009, as an original member of 977 Troop. He was the youngest Marine to pass out from his Troop.

British Commando killed in Helmand

A British Royal Marine from 42 Commando Royal Marines was killed in Afghanistan on Sunday 15th May 2011.

The marine was killed by an Improvised Explosive Device while involved in an operation to search a compound in the Loy Mandeh Wadi area of the Nad-e Ali (North) District of Helmand Province.

UPDATED: Marine Nigel Mead

British Commando, Adam Brown, killed

Marine Adam Brown, from 40 Commando Royal Marines, serving as part of Combined Force Sangin, was killed in Afghanistan on Sunday 1 August 2010.

Marine Brown was conducting a reassurance patrol as part of 3 Troop, Alpha Company, to provide security for the locals in the area.

At approximately 1750hrs on Sunday 1 August, there was an explosion in the vicinity of his patrol base and Marine Brown was killed instantly in the blast.

Marine Commando, Jonathan Crookes, killed in action

British Marine Jonathan David Thomas Crookes, from 40 Commando Royal Marines, was killed in Afghanistan on Friday 16 July 2010.

Marine, Jonathan Crookes, 40 Commando

Marine Jonathan David Thomas Crookes, from Charlie Company, 40 Commando Royal Marines, serving as part of Combined Force Sangin, was killed in an explosion while on foot patrol in the Sangin District of Helmand province.

Commando Matthew Harrison killed in action

Marine Matthew Harrison from 40 Commando Royal Marines, serving as part of Combined Force Sangin, was killed in Afghanistan on Tuesday 13 July 2010.

Matthew Harrison, 40 Commando

During the early evening of Tuesday 13 July 2010, Marine Harrison's unit, Charlie Company, was conducting a joint reassurance patrol with the local Afghan National Army, south of Patrol Base Seylab Doo. 

At 1805 hrs local time, the patrol was engaged with small arms fire. Marine Harrison was mortally wounded in the attack. He was evacuated to Camp Bastion Role Three Hospital where he died of his wounds.

Commando David Hart killed in action

Marine David Charles Hart from 40 Commando Royal Marines was killed in Afghanistan on Thursday 8 July 2010.

David Hart, 40 Commando

Marine Hart was serving as part of Combined Force Sangin and was killed in an explosion while on foot patrol in the Sangin District of Helmand Province.

Marine David Charles Hart was born in York, North Yorkshire and was 23 years old and lived with his family in Upper Poppleton.

He joined recruit training in February 2009, and stood out as one of the top recruits and in recognition of this was awarded his Diamond.

He passed out for duty as a Royal Marines Commando on 16 October 2009, when he was awarded The Commando Medal.

British Commandos killed 2006-2007

During 2006 and 2007 the British Commando units suffered a total of 12 fatalities as follows:

4 - 29 Commando Royal Artillery

4 - 42 Commando Royal Marines

4 - 45 Commando Royal Marines

08 Mar 2007 - Michael Smith, 29 Commando Royal Artillery

After almost 22 years of military service, WO2 Michael 'Mick' Smith, aged 39, died from injuries sustained when a grenade was fired at the UK base in Sangin, Helmand Province.

06 Mar 2007 - Benjamin Reddy, 42 Commando Royal Marines

Marine Reddy, aged 22, was killed when his unit came under fire during a deliberate clearance operation in the Kajaki area of Helmand Province.

03 Mar 2007 - Liam McLaughlin, 29 Commando Royal Artillery

Killed alongside Ross Clark, who were friends and colleagues, died during a rocket attack in the Sangin area of Helmand.  Lance Bombardier Liam McLaughlin, known simply as 'Paddy' to all who served with him, was born on 17 December 1985, and was brought up in Lancashire. He enlisted in the Army in September 2002, spending a year at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate before joining 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery in November 2003.

03 Mar 2007 - Ross Clark, 29 Commando Royal Artillery

Killed alongside Liam McLaughlin, who were friends and colleagues, died during a rocket attack in the Sangin area of Helmand.  Born in Zimbabwe on 18 July 1981, Lance Bombardier Ross Clark was brought up in South Africa before joining the British Army in April 2002.

22 Feb 2007 - Scott Summers, 42 Commando Royal Marines

Involved in a traffic accident that occurred when Marine Summers was driving a Pinzgauer vehicle as part of a routine convoy in Helmand province on 4 February 2007.

21 Feb 2007 - Jonathan Holland, 45 Commando Royal Marines

Marine Holland died as a result of injuries sustained from a mine strike, while on a routine patrol in the Sangin Valley, Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

15 Jan 2007 - Mathew Ford, 45 Commando Royal Marines

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.

The Royal Marine Commandos were attacking a major Taliban fort. This entailed them crossing a river, assaulting a walled compound and engaging in close quarter fighting. It was during the initial breach of the compound that Lance Corporal Ford was shot and killed instantly.

13 Jan 2007 - Thomas Curry, 42 Commando Royal Marines

Marine Curry died when elements of 42 Commando Royal Marines were engaged in a deliberate offensive operation near Kajaki, in Northern Helmand.

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.

27 Dec 2006 - James Dwyer, 29 Commando Royal Artillery

Lance Bombardier Dwyer, aged 22, was killed when the vehicle he was driving struck an anti-tank mine whilst on a patrol in southern Helmand.

12 Dec 2006 - Richard Watson, 42 Commando Royal Marines

Elements from the UK Task Force were patrolling to the north of Now Zad, a district in the North of Helmand, when they came under attack from Taliban forces.

During the contact Marine Watson was hit by small arms fire and fatally wounded. An emergency quick reaction helicopter along with a full medical team was immediately dispatched to Now Zad. Marine Watson was then evacuated to the UK hospital at Camp Bastion, where he was sadly pronounced dead. No other servicemen were injured.

05 Dec 2006 - Jonathan Wigley, 45 Commando Royal Marines

Marine Wigley died as a result of injuries sustained while on an Afghan and UK Task Force force operation on the outskirts of the village of Garmsir, to dislodge Taliban forces who had been responsible for attacks on the town in recent days. He was airlifted to a UK hospital in Camp Bastion, where he sadly later died from his wounds.

18 Oct 2006 - Gary Wright, 45 Commando Royal Marines

Marine Gary Wright died as a result of injuries sustained when a suicide-borne improvised explosive device detonated next to the vehicle in which he was patrolling in Lashkar Gah, Helmand Province.

British patrol attacked, two soldiers dead

Two British military personnel killed in Afghanistan on 27 June 2006 have been named as Captain David Patton and Sergeant Paul Bartlett.

During an operation in the Sangin valley, northern Helmand province, in the early morning of 27 June 2006, a UK patrol came under attack. One further soldier was seriously wounded. His injuries are not thought to be life threatening. Next of kin have been informed.

Captain David Patton of the Parachute Regiment was born on 12 September 1967. Sergeant Paul Bartlett Royal Marines was born on 3 March 1971. 

 

Capt. David Patton

Sgt Paul Bartlett, RM