Helmand memorial honours Royal Artillery fallen

The Royal Artillery memorial in Camp Bastion
[Picture: Flight Lieutenant Liz Price, Crown Copyright/MOD 2011]

A History and Honour news article

28 Jul 11

A new memorial to the fallen gunners of the Royal Artillery was dedicated at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, last week.

On Monday, 18 July 2011, members of the Royal Artillery's 29 Commando Regiment gathered at Camp Bastion in Helmand province, to witness the dedication of the first memorial to the Royal Artillery's fallen gunners.

During the ceremony, Lieutenant Colonel Richard Smith, Commanding Officer of 29 Commando Regiment, read aloud the names of the seventeen Royal Artillery gunners who have lost their lives in Afghanistan; six of whom were from his own regiment.

"The battle groups had their own memorials, but there was never one place that collected together all the members of the Royal Artillery who have fallen during the campaign here, so it was right and proper to bring them together in a single place," said Lt Col Smith.

29 Commando Regiment currently heads Task Force Helmand's Joint Fires and Targeting Group. They say the greatest tribute to comrades who have died is an improving security situation....