RIP SGM Chant, SGT Telford, Gdsn Major, CPL Boote, CPL Webster-Smith

4 Nov 09 It is with great sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm the names of the five Servicemen killed in Afghanistan on Tuesday 3 November 2009. 

Ministry of Defence: The soldiers were all killed as a result of gunshot wounds sustained in an attack in the Nad-e'Ali District of Helmand Province.  The five personnel are:

Sergeant Major Darren Chant, 1st Battalion The Grenadier Guards
 
Sergeant Matthew Telford, 1st Battalion The Grenadier Guards

Guardsman James Major, 1st Battalion The Grenadier Guards

Acting Corporal Steven Boote, Royal Military Police

Corporal Nicholas Webster-Smith, Royal Military Police

"He which hath no stomach to this fight let him depart. But we in it shall be remembered. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers!! For he today, that sheds his blood with me, shall always be my brother”. Rest in peace my Brothers, you have not been forgotten. (W.Shakespeare)

From ISAF/DoD:

Afghan-ISAF Conducts Joint Investigation Into Attack in Southern Afghanistan

International Security Assistance Force HQ Public Affairs

KABUL, Afghanistan - Four U.K. soldiers were killed, another one died of his wounds, and a further six were injured while conducting operations in Southern Afghanistan Tuesday. Two Afghan national police officers were also wounded. An ISAF unit responded to the incident and aided the wounded before transporting them to an ISAF hospital for treatment. A joint ISAF and Afghan Ministry of Interior team is investigating the incident due to allegations the British soldiers may have been fired upon by Afghan security forces.

"I have spoken to the minister of interior, Minister Atmar who shares my deepest regret for this incident and he gave me his assurance that this incident will be fully and transparently investigated," said Gen. Stanley McChrystal, commander International Security Assistance Force. "We will not let this event deter our resolve to building a partnership with the Afghan national security forces to provide for Afghanistan's future."

"There is a deep sense of loss as I know many others feel and our heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of our fellow soldiers," said Gen. McChrystal.

"We are deeply saddened for the loss of our ISAF partners and we extend our prayers to their families and those injured in this senseless attack. Every casualty suffered in our country comes with profound regret. This appears to be an isolated incident that is being jointly investigated by our officials and our ISAF partners," said Minister of Interior of Afghanistan Haneef Atmar.