A decade on from the killing of 14 40 Commando Royal Marines in Afghanistan

40 Commando lost 14 men in 85 days fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan.

A decade on and the brave men who died protecting our way of life have not been forgotten.

A special ceremony was held at their former base near Norton Fitzwarren this week.

And today we remember the 14 heroes who never returned.

CPL CHRISTOPHER LEWIS HARRISON, 26:

Killed by a roadside bomb on May 9 leading a foot patrol. He joined the Royal Marines in March 2003 and had been in Afghanistan in 2007. He was a mortar fire controller. His widow Rebecca called him a “fantastic husband”, her “motivator and inspiration”.

CPL STEPHEN WALKER, 42:

Nicknamed Whisky, the married father-of-two was killed by an explosion on May 21. A superior officer called him “probably the most professional Marine I have had the pleasure of serving with”. He had an eye for detail and never sacrificed standards.

CPL STEPHEN PAUL CURLEY, 26:

Married with a baby son, he died in an explosion on May 26 conducting a reassurance foot patrol. His motto was, ‘If you’re not living life on the edge, you’re taking up too much room’. His CO called him “the very best of his generation”. He was “bright, fit, charismatic and supremely brave”.

MARINE SCOTT GREGORY TAYLOR, 21:

Killed on foot patrol on May 26. His family said he was a “perfect son, brother, grandson, nephew and friend”. He was caring and respectful. His CO said he was “a giant in the gymnasium, a consummate professional in the field and a true mate to his friends”.

MARINE ANTHONY DEAN HOTINE, 21:

Killed during a reassurance patrol on June 2. His CO said he was “a brilliant young man at the height of his profession” who was “bright, selfless, dedicated and keen-spirited”. He was on his second tour of Sangin.

MARINE STEVEN JAMES BIRDSALL, 20:

Died in a Birmingham hospital on June 16 from a gunshot wound suffered as he provided security to soldiers reinforcing checkpoint defences. He lived with his parents and sister. He was “selfless, brave and fearless”. His CO spoke of his “gallantry, selflessness and determination”. “He was strong, brave, full of spirit and full of character.”

MARINE RICHARD HOLLINGTON, 23:

The ex semi-professional footballer was the 300th British troop killed during the conflict. He died in hospital in Birmingham with his family at his side on June 20 after being injured in a bomb blast on patrol. His parents said: “He chose to live his days as a lion.” His CO called him “bright, intrepid, determined and full of character” and “affable, generous, loyal and modest”.
MARINE PAUL WARREN, 23:

Died in an explosion during an insurgent attack on June 21. He joined up in 2006 and was on his second tour of Afghanistan. His family lost a “loving son, brother and grandson”. His CO remembered an “outstanding Marine” who was “bright, articulate, loyal and very brave”.
L CPL MICHAEL TAYLOR, 30:

The soldier-turned-Royal Marine was shot in a firefight as he manned a watchtower on June 22. His partner Sonia described “the best loving partner and dad”. His family said he “lived to be a hero and died a hero”. His CO called him “a superb Marine - fit, bright, dedicated and incredibly courageous”.
SGT STEVEN WILLIAM DARBYSHIRE, 35:

The fourth Royal Marine to die in four days, was killed by small arms fire on security patrol on June 23. The keen sportsman lived with his partner and two sons. Being a Commando was all he ever wanted to do. His family said he was “strong, vibrant, generous, passionate and full of life”. His CO said he was “charismatic, loyal, determined and dedicated”.
MARINE DAVID CHARLES HART, 23:

Killed on foot patrol on July 8. He was a top recruit in 2009, winning the Commando Medal. His family admired “his cheerfulness, sense of humour and smile”. His CO said he was “magnificent, diligent, loyal, utterly dedicated and completely selfless, a perfect Commando”. His life insurance paid for 32 friends to go to Las Vegas and he left large sums for his family and a charity for injured Marines.
MARINE MATTHEW HARRISON, 23:

He was shot on a reassurance patrol on July 13. He won the King’s Badge as the best all-round recruit. His family called him “warm-hearted, absolutely dependable”. His CO said he was “brilliant in every sense - the consummate professional and irrepressible”
MARINE JONATHAN DAVID THOMAS CROOKES, 26:

Killed in an explosion on foot patrol on July 16. He lived with his mother and fiancee. It was his second tour of Afghanistan as a Reservist. His mother called him “caring, thoughtful and full of life”. His CO said he was “a giant of a man” who was “supremely brave” and “a bright, strong, fearless man”.
MARINE ADAM BROWN, 25:

Married to childhood sweetheart Amy for less than a year. He died in an explosion during a reassurance patrol on August 1. Amy called him a “wonderful husband and a true inspiration”. He was on his second tour of Afghanistan. His CO called him a “superb Marine”, “courageous, supremely fit, hugely professional and utterly selfless”.

The County Gazette celebrated the safe return of the fallen 14's colleagues with a special souvenir issue in November 2010: