In Memoriam

[Grace]

New Zealand

New Zealand SAS Corporal Doug Grant, age 41, was killed in action in Kabul on Friday 19th August 2011 during an operation at the British Council buildings.

Cpl. Grant, known as "Dougie", was evacuated by helicopter but died from gunshot wounds on the way to a military hospital at Bagram.

Cpl. Grant, from Linton, had spent 21 years in the New Zealand Defence Force, serving with an Infantry Regiment and with Engineers before joining the Special Air Service. He had actually left the SAS so that he could spend more time with his family but had volunteered to serve in Afghanistan.

He had served in East Timor twice, the former Yugoslavia and was on his second tour of duty in Afghanistan.

He leaves behind his wife Tina, their seven-year-old daughter and their five-year-old son.

[Grace]

This will break your heart. The funeral for SEAL Jon Tumilson, killed in that copter crash, was held Friday. His dog, Hawkeye, guarded him one last time.

[Grace]

Australia

26-year-old Private Matthew Lambert, serving with the Australian Townsville-based 2nd Battalion RAR, was killed in action on 22nd August 2011 when a bomb detonated beside his unit while he was conducting a night patrol north-east of Tarin Kot.

Pvt. Lambert was born in Kogarah, New South Wales. He joined the Army in 2005 and served in East Timor in 2009 receiving a number of military honours.

Australia's Prime Minister Julia Gillard, speaking about Pvt. Lambert, said: "Private Lambert's colleagues described him as a man who excelled at any task he was assigned and a soldier who was proud to serve his country. Matthew was a sniper. A tough specialist in mind and body, one of the most skilled soldiers in one of the most skilled armies in the world."

Private Lambert is survived by his wife, parents and family.

[Grace]

Poland

Polish Army Senior Private Szymon Sitarczuk, age 28, was killed in action on 18th August 2011 in the northern part of Ghazni province. His unit was on patrol when a bomb exploded. The explosion was followed by a gun battle with enemy forces.

Snr. Pvt. Sitarczuk served with 1st Company of Motorised Infantry of "Alfa" Combat Group. He had served in 1st Sappers Brigade since 2004. He was on his second deployment to Afghanistan.

[Grace]

23 August 2011

US 10th Mountain Division officer, 1st Lt. Timothy J. Steele, from Duxbury, Massachusetts, was killed in action on 23rd August 2011 when a bomb exploded in Kandahar province.

The 25-year-old West Point graduate served with 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team based at Fort Drum, New York.

1Lt Steele was commissioned in May 2009. He deployed to Afghanistan in March this year. His decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the NATO Medal, the Air Assault Medal, the Expert Infantryman's Badge, the Parachutists Badge and the Ranger Tab.

1Lt Steele is survived by his wife, child, and his parents.

[Grace]

24 August 2011

US 10th Mountain Division Sergeant Andrew R. Tobin, from Jacksonville, Illinois, was killed in action on 24th August 2011 during a contact with enemy forces involving small arms. The incident occurred in Kandahar province.

24-year-old Sgt. Tobin deployed to Afghanistan in March this year. He previously served in the country from January to December last year. He served with the 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, based at Fort Drum, New York.

Sgt. Tobin, who joined the army in January 2008, leaves his wife and father.

[Grace]

25 August 2011

Alaska-based Stryker Brigade Pfc. Brandon S. Mullins, age 21, from Owensboro, Kentucky, was killed in action on 25th August 2011 when his unit struck a bomb during a patrol. Pfc. Mullins died from his injuries. The incident occurred in Kandahar province.

Pfc. Mullins, serving with the 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, based at Fort Wainwright, deployed to Afghanistan with the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team in April this year.