Remembering the Fallen: on this day in 2009, Kingsman Jason Dunn-Bridgeman, 2nd Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, was killed in Afghanistan, in the Babaji district of Helmand province. He had been part of a foot patrol which was fired on by insurgents – he was shot and despite the best efforts of his colleagues he could not be saved.

In the Army Cadets he had achieved the rank of Regimental Sergeant Major, and in May of 2008 he joined Arnhem Company after attending the Infantry Training School. He excelled at outdoor pursuits, particularly parachuting, paragliding and skiing, and he had talked about pursuing a career in adventure training or as a skiing instructor when he eventually left the Army. The tributes from his colleagues speak of his selflessness, sense of humour, intelligence, and dedication.

Knowing that deployment was imminent, Kingsman Dunn-Bridgeman volunteered to serve with Blenheim Company, the spearhead force for any possible deployment. Hours after transferring his personal belongings, Blenheim Company were deployed to Helmand province to bolster The Light Dragoons Battle Group.

Lieutenant Colonel Gus Fair said: “Kingsman Jason Dunn-Bridgeman’s tragic death has had a profound effect on his company and the Battle Group as a whole. A young and gifted soldier, it was clear that he had a promising future ahead of him. Never one to shy away from hard work, he demonstrated a strong sense of duty and perseverance in everything he did. The ease of his adjustment to both joining the platoon and his deployment at short notice on this operational tour is testament to his character and professionalism as a devoted, loyal and trustworthy soldier. The loss of this remarkable and charismatic soldier has been felt poignantly throughout the Battle Group but in particular by his platoon.”

Jason, from Liverpool, was 20 years old.