Lance Corporal James Fullarton, Fusilier Simon Annis and Fusilier Louis Carter killed in Afghanistan

It is with great sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm that Lance Corporal James Fullarton, Fusilier Simon Annis and Fusilier Louis Carter, all of 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers (2 RRF), were killed in Afghanistan on Sunday 16 August 2009.

All three died following an explosion while on patrol near Sangin in Helmand province.

Lance Corporal James Fullarton

Lance Corporal James Fullarton, or 'Fully' to his mates, was born in Coventry in April 1985. He joined the Army in November 2003 and on successful completion of his infantry training at ITC Catterick, was posted to the Second Battalion the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.

Lance Corporal Fullarton joined the Battalion in Palace Barracks, Belfast, as the Resident Battalion based there. He patrolled the streets of the city and was involved with public order incidents keeping the streets safe during the marching season. In the summer of 2005 Lance Corporal Fullarton deployed to Iraq for the first time. In late 2005, Lance Corporal Fullarton moved with the Battalion to Cyprus as part of the Theatre Reserve Battalion commitment. During this time he deployed on Exercise Saffron Sands in Jordon and again on Operations to Iraq.

Lance Corporal Fullarton distinguished himself early earning his place on a JNCO cadre and subsequent promotion to Lance Corporal in 2006. His love of sport and fitness saw him drive to undertake and pass the Physical Training Instructors cadre, he was never happier than when he was taking imaginative and demanding training sessions. In March 2008 Lance Corporal Fullarton moved with the Battalion to Hounslow, West London. Here, Lance Corporal Fullarton was to stand proudly outside the Royal Palaces as part of the Public Duties commitment.

In March 2009 Lance Corporal Fullarton was called upon to deploy to Sangin, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, first as a Section Second in Command and latterly as a Section Commander. He was a shining example to his men who all admired and respected him. In June 2009, whilst on leave, Lance Corporal Fullarton got engaged to fiancée Leanne, whom he loved and adored, he was planning to marry her in June of 2010.

Lance Corporal Fullarton's life was tragically cut short in an IED blast on 16 August 2009. He was tasked with leading the Company on a patrol. Lance Corporal Fullarton died doing what he loved and leading, as always, from the front.

His parents, Janice and Peter, and his fiancée, Leanne, said:

"James was an outstanding soldier who was so proud to serve his Queen and country. He touched so many around him and has left a void in our lives that will never be filled. A treasured son, brother, grandson, fiancé, nephew, cousin and friend. Gone but never forgotten."

Fusilier Simon Annis

Born in Salford in 1987 Fusilier Simon Annis attended Cullchift High School, Warrington, until he had completed his GCSEs . After leaving school his desire to test himself saw him pursue a challenging and varied career when he joined his local Infantry Regiment, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers aged just 19.

In 2006, he completed the physically demanding Infantry Training course at ITC Catterick ready to embrace the varied lifestyle on offer in the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. Having completed training he was to move to Cyprus to join the Regiment in a demanding training year where he deployed to Jordan on a tough 6 week training exercise.

From the outset Fusilier Annis was to experience the full range of activities on offer to a young man in the infantry. In his short time in the Army Fusilier Annis has served in Cyprus, Jordan and latterly Afghanistan. It was in Jordan that Fusilier Annis developed his taste for scuba diving. He was able to deploy to Egypt in 2007 and Belize in 2008 to further his diving skills and love of the sport.

Having experienced a plethora of activities he returned to the UK in the early part of 2008 to Hounslow West London as part of a Battalion move. Here Fusilier Annis stood proudly outside the Royal Palaces as part of the Battalion's Public Duties commitment. In February 2009 Fusilier Annis married his beloved Caroline just one month before he was called upon to deploy to Sangin, Afghanistan. Fusilier Annis approached his first operational tour as he did everything else in his life with good humour and a professional attitude.

Whilst in Sangin, Fusilier Annis was an integral part of Three Platoon serving as a Light Machine Gunner. Fusilier Annis sense of humour and positive attitude helped to inspire the men of Three Platoon through some dark days, including the death of his friend and colleague Cpl Joey Etchells. Fusilier Annis was tragically killed on 16 August 2009 whilst evacuating his section commander; it is fitting that Fusilier Annis was there for his friends right up to the end.

Caroline, his wife, said:

"Simon was the perfect husband, son and brother. He will be sorely missed by all of us. He was a true hero who made all of us so very proud and he will always have a place in our hearts. We will love and miss him always."

Fusilier Louis Carter

Fusilier Louis Carter was born in Nuneaton in 1990. He joined the Army in January 2007, and on successful completion of AFC Harrogate and his infantry training at ITC Catterick, was posted to the Second Battalion the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers in April 2009. He was always eager and proud to be a Fusilier and Infantryman.

On arrival in Battalion, Fusilier Carter was immediately sent out to join 3 Platoon, A Company, attached to the 2 RIFLES Battle Group serving in Sangin, Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Despite the daunting task of deploying straight to a war zone Fusilier Carter adapted himself well to life on operations and very quickly became a respected and popular member of 2 Section, 3 Platoon. A keen footballer, rugby player and cricketer he did not have time to establish himself in any of the Battalion teams. His football form on Op HERRICK 10 suggests he was not far off the mark. He was a keen Coventry City supporter and whenever possible go and watch his beloved team.

Fusilier Carter’s life was tragically cut short when he was killed whilst extracting his section commander whilst on patrol on the morning of 16 August 2009. It is a testament to this young man’s character that in the face of great danger he died trying to save his fallen commander. A young life and fledgling career cut short due to his selfless act in trying to save his friends.

The family of Fusilier Carter said:

"Louis Carter was a loving and caring son to Mick and Denise Carter, and a great older brother to Sam, and younger brother to Lee.

"Louis’s childhood dream and ambition was always to join the Army and ultimately serve his country. His dream was fulfilled but tragically cut short.

"Louis had many, many friends and relatives and was loved by all. He was also very aware of our love for him. We are all so proud of him.

"Louis will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. He will live in our hearts forever."