19 Light Brigade remember those lost in Afghanistan

The brigade, whose headquarters is based in Northern Ireland, took over as the lead formation on Operation HERRICK 10 of UK troops in Helmand province in April 2009. They returned home in October.

It was an extremely tough tour with the brigade leading operations in Helmand during the Afghan election period.

They also conducted Operation PANTHER'S CLAW which saw one of the most heavily populated areas in Helmand cleared of Taliban influence, resulting in the area being brought back under government control and allowing reconstruction and development to begin. The Taliban were also denied territory in which to operate, thus restricting their command and control structures in the region.

During Op HERRICK 10, 81 personnel from 19 Light Brigade and supporting units (including troops from coalition countries) died in theatre. Two were also murdered in Northern Ireland as they waited for transport taking them on deployment.

At yesterday's service the Commander of 19 Light Brigade, Brigadier Tim Radford, read out the 83 names of the deceased and also laid a wreath. Speaking to the media he said:

"Tragically, over 70 men from my Task Force were killed in action and many more received life-changing injuries.

"As the commander of a tight-knit Task Force those losses have been felt deeply by all of us."

He added:

"The interests of the Afghan people were at the very heart of every decision we made. Despite the intense fighting there were very few civilian casualties; a testament to the great measure and judgement shown by every one of my soldiers."

One of the brigade's units, 2nd Battalion The Rifles, based at Ballykinler in County Down, suffered some of the heaviest losses.

Their Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Rob Thomson, said:

"We will never forget the sacrifice made by those who have given their lives and we are holding their families close.

"The commitment, courage and sheer grit of every man in the Battle Group has been humbling."

Her Majesty The Queen was represented by His Royal Highness Prince Edward at yesterday's service.

Other guests included the Deputy Prime Minister Harriet Harman, Secretary of State for Defence Bob Ainsworth and Chief of the Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup.

Speaking at the service, Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth said:

"This is the chance to commemorate the substantial sacrifice that there has been on the last tour of service. We've lost altogether 83 people, that includes foreign nationals, and of course the two sappers who were killed at Massereene Barracks as the Task Force was deploying.

"We need to take the time to stop to reflect on the losses, on the sacrifices, and to pay tribute to this tremendous courage and the bravery of all of those who've served our country on this six-month tour."

Offering his condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers, he added:

"I can't begin to understand the loss and the suffering that they have gone through, not only their families, but their friends as well.

"But what I would say to them is that we're not out there in some kind of discretional situation, we're out there fighting a campaign that is vital to our security and our national interest.

"If we were to fail in Afghanistan, the consequences for Afghanistan are profound, the consequences for Pakistan are profound, and the consequences, therefore, for our safety back here in the United Kingdom are very considerable indeed.

"We have to succeed here. So their sacrifice has been in the service of their country and has certainly not been for nothing."

Chief of the Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup said:

"19th Brigade fought through some really tough times, they showed the most incredible resolution, the most incredible courage, and the most amazing initiative. They left Helmand substantially further advanced in security terms than they found it.

"Their efforts, their bravery and their sacrifice brought us strategic progress in Helmand."

Earlier this week, on Monday 30 November 2009, 120 Service personnel from 19 Light Brigade's supporting units attended a reception at the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, London.

The event was organised by the Army All Party Parliamentary Group to commemorate the brigade's tour and personally thank members from across the ranks for their hard work and sacrifice.

The 120 troops marched from Wellington Barracks to the Houses of Parliament accompanied by the Band of the Welsh Guards.