Remembering the Fallen: on this day in 2010, Lieutenant Douglas Dalzell MC of 1st Battalion, Coldstream Guards, died from wounds received as a result of an explosion in the Babaji area of Nahr-e-Saraj in central Helmand. He was serving as part of Combined Force Nahr-e Saraj (South) [formerly known as Battle Group (Babaji)] and was operating as part of Operation MOSHTARAK.

He had joined the army in 2007, and did not take long in proving himself an extremely capable officer. It was noted that he never asked anything of any of his men that he had not already experienced himself – he was devoted to his platoon and built up high standards of trust and rapport. He was considered to be a true soldier and a true gentleman, brilliant, charming and charismatic.

Speaking at the launch of a charity in Lieutenant Dalzell's name - The Lieutenant Dougie Dalzell MC Memorial Trust, set up to help wounded servicemen and their families - General Sir David Richards said that Lieutenant Dalzell had been an "exemplary" soldier in the concern he showed for the "well-being" and safe return of his men. "He represents to me - and all of us here - the very best of servicemen and women I have the privilege to lead,"

He was posthumously awarded the Military Cross for bravery, and the lengthy citation can be found here: http://www.dougiedalzellmemorialtrust.co.uk/pdf/DAKD%20Full%20Citation%202010.pdf Douglas, from Hamstead Marshall, near Newbury in Berkshire. died on his 27th birthday.