Remembering the Fallen: on this day in 2006, Kingsman Jamie Hancock, 2nd Battalion, Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, was killed when he came under small arms fire while on sentry duty in Basra City. He had been in Iraq for just two weeks. He had joined the army at the age of 18 and volunteered for duty in Iraq in June of 2006. He qualified as a Warrior Armoured Fighting Vehicle driver, and was recognized as a young man of great real potential due to his professionalism and his sheer pride in being a soldier. He was known as a great listener, and despite his youth was considered by some of his colleages as a kind elder-brother, a source of morale and encouragement. His Company Commander, Major Chris Job, said: “Kingsman Hancock was an energetic and enthusiastic individual who lived for the Army and had a very promising career ahead of him. Proud to be a Kingsman, he was determined to do as well as he possibly could. His enthusiasm was boundless and the fearless spirit with which he lived was amply demonstrated by his decision to volunteer for this Iraq tour. Although young, and new to the Army, he appeared older and more experienced than his 19 years. As a Warrior driver, he was considered to be one of the best despite only recently passing his test. He was a magnet for his peers who were drawn by his infectious sense of fun and all-embracing nature. Always at the centre of practical jokes he lived life to the full.” Jamie, from Wigan, was 19 years old.