Remembering the Fallen: on this day in 2010, Corporal Christopher Harrison, Bravo Company, 40 Commando Royal Marines, was killed in Afghanistan, fatally wounded in an explosion while out on patrol.

Corporal Harrison had joined the Royal Marines in 2003, and served with the Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines, having qualified as a heavy weapons (mortars) specialist. In 2007 he deployed for the first time to Afghanistan. His comrades spoke of his ready smile and quick wit, a truly professional role model, and a real character” who yomped out of the jungle unaided when bitten by a snake and who entertained them all with his outlandish dancing style.

Major Mark Totten said: “Corporal Chris ‘H-Bomb’ Harrison was a towering mortarman, whose physical presence matched his professional competence; but his sheer character outweighed them both. He was extremely popular across the entire Commando unit, especially Mortar Troop, and had the knack of making friends easily, no matter whose company he was in.

He was undoubtedly the focal point of troop morale. Chris was a junior Mortar Fire Controller but was the complete master of his brief, and his professionalism was immediately apparent when he arrived in B Company. His competence was a reassuring hand on the shoulder of those he shared a patrol base with; they knew he could rapidly bring his skills to bear in support of them. He led from the front, not just through his impressive physical presence but with character and grit; he possessed the commando qualities in spades and was always first to volunteer, especially in the face of danger. He confronted danger like he approached everything else, with an infectious sense of humour. On operations in Helmand he was determined to be in the thick of it and was immensely proud of what he achieved. He was a Bootneck in every sense, took life by the collar, and got the very most out of it.”

Christopher, from Watford, was 26 years old and married.