Remembering the Fallen: on this day in 2012 Guardsman Michael Roland from 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards was killed in Afghanistan. He had deployed with his company on a three-day operation in a contested area in the north of Nahr-e Saraj district, and sadly was fatally wounded during an exchange of small arms fire.

Upon completion of his training in 2009 he moved to Nijmegen Company in London, and spent a year conducting public duties at the royal palaces and participating in state ceremonial tasks. He joined the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards in 2010, and in early April, 2012, deployed to Afghanistan.

From his Commanding Officer: "Guardsman Roland’s death is a tremendous loss to a close battalion. 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. We are all extremely proud of Guardsman Roland’s selfless commitment to this important mission. Moreover, we are resolved to finish the job that he so bravely started…we will never forget this most extraordinary of Guardsmen." Michael, from Worthing, was 22 years old.