Remembering the Fallen: on this day in 2007 Private Tony Rawson, 1st Battalion the Royal Anglian Regiment, was killed in Afghanistan. His patrol, while en-route to check on a local irrigation project, came under heavy fire from Taliban fighters - Private Rawson was mortally wounded and died at the scene before an emergency helicopter arrived. Members of his section moved his body over several hundred metres out of the line of heavy enemy fire.

Private Rawson had joined the army in 2002. He represented his Company in the inter-company boxing competition, and delighted in winning as he had worked hard to prove to himself that he could do it. He had served in Iraq as part of the All Arms Search Team, which was another achievement of which he was very proud. Although selected to attend the Battalion’s Junior Non Commissioned Officer cadre, he could not complete it at the time due to an injury, so was employed as a section second-in-command within his platoon. In Afghanistan during numerous engagements with enemy forces he is remembered as being “in the thick of things” and was considered to be highly professional and capable. Comrades remember him as being good-natured, courageous, selfless and a true friend.

Lieutenant-Colonel Stuart Carver said: “Private Tony Rawson was a highly respected member of 1 Royal Anglian and his death is a tragic loss, deeply felt by all members of the Battalion. A close friend to many, Private Rawson was a young man passionate about his job, with a big heart and a generous and trustworthy personality who died courageously in close combat. He was a true Viking who we will never forget.”

Tony, from Dagenham, was 27 years old and engaged to be married.