Corporal Matthew James Stenton and Lance Corporal Stephen Daniel Monkhouse killed in Afghanistan

It is with sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm that Corporal Matthew James Stenton from the Royal Dragoon Guards and Lance Corporal Stephen Daniel Monkhouse from 1st Battalion Scots Guards were killed in Afghanistan on Wednesday, 21 July 2010.

Corporal Matthew James Stenton (left) and Lance Corporal Stephen Daniel Monkhouse (right)
[Picture: via MOD]

The two soldiers were killed on Wednesday evening when members of The Royal Dragoon Guards and 1st Battalion Scots Guards were providing security to the building of Route Trident in the Basharan, north of Lashkar Gah.

Corporal Stenton, of Viking Group, D (The Green Horse) Squadron, was commanding a Viking Armoured vehicle that was part of a cordon to facilitate the exploitation of a number of IEDs and Lance Corporal Monkhouse, of Combined Force Lashkar Gah, was the gunner of a Coyote vehicle when insurgents shot and wounded a member of ISAF.

Corporal Stenton manoeuvred his vehicle in order to lay down fire and extract the casualty, and Lance Corporal Monkhouse provided fire support in order to allow the evacuation to take place. Tragically, as the casualty was being extracted, Corporal Stenton and Lance Corporal Monkhouse were both killed by small arms fire.

Corporal Stenton's family said:

"A loving son, brother and grandson who will be dearly missed. Matthew always took life in his stride and never lost sight of the important things in life his family and friends.

"Matthew died how he lived his life, surrounded by his friends. We are so proud of Matthew and it comes as no surprise to us to hear that he died whilst trying to help one of his fellow comrades.

"You will always be in our hearts and minds, love you always Dad, Gillian and Charlotte."

Lance Corporal Monkhouse's family said:

"Although Stephen died in very tragic circumstances, it is comforting to know that he died doing a job he loved – being a soldier. He loved the Army and the Scots Guards.

"He died trying to help save another life, that sums Stephen up. He loved life and lived it to the full and his memory will live on with us and his friends forever. God bless you son."

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Trooper James Anthony Leverett killed in Afghanistan

It is with sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm that Trooper James Anthony Leverett of D (The Green Horse) Squadron, The Viking Group, The Royal Dragoon Guards, was killed in Afghanistan on Monday 5 July 2010.


Trooper Leverett was killed in an explosion when his Viking armoured vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province.

The incident occurred while Trooper Leverett and his troop were providing security for the building of Route Trident in support of the 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles Battle Group.

The route is crucial as it links the provincial capital, Lashkar Gah, with the economic hub of Gereshk. Once completed, it will allow local Afghans to travel and trade more freely and securely, boosting development and prosperity.

Trooper James Anthony Leverett

Trooper James Anthony Leverett, 'Lev' or 'Levy' to his mates, was 20 years old. He was born in Great Yarmouth and grew up in Sheffield and Rotherham. Having worked as a plasterer's labourer after leaving school, he joined the Army at 18 in May 2008, attending the Army Training Regiment, Winchester.

On completion of his time at Winchester, he attended the Armour Centre in Dorset where he qualified as a Challenger 2 tank driver. He joined D (The Green Horse) Squadron, The Royal Dragoon Guards, in January 2009.

Tpr Leverett deployed on Exercise Medicine Man 2 in 2009 with D (The Green Horse) Squadron. On return from a successful exercise in Canada, he was selected as a member of the Viking Group for Op HERRICK 12.

He completed Mission Specific Training for HERRICK 12, qualifying as a Viking crewman with 1st Troop. He deployed to Afghanistan in early June 2010.

Tpr Leverett leaves behind his parents, Neville and Sharon, his three brothers, Neville, Lewis and Jack, and his girlfriend, Tiffany, who is due to give birth to their first child in September.

The family and friends of Trooper Leverett have made the following statement:

"James was strong-minded and determined. Whatever he set his mind to, he kept on trying until he achieved his goal. He was very likeable and had many friends in and out of the Army.

"He was a loving son to mum Sharon, father Neville and stepdad Tony, and loyal brother to Neville, Lewis, Jack and stepbrother Shane, and being the oldest brother was someone that they looked up to. He was also the adoring boyfriend of Tiffany and proudly looking forward to the birth of his son.

"We will miss him so much and he will always be loved and remembered."

Lieutenant Colonel James Carr-Smith, Commanding Officer, The Royal Dragoon Guards, said:

"Trooper James Leverett (known as Levy) was a Royal Dragoon Guard of significant potential. He had only been with the regiment for 18 months but in this short time he had more than made his mark. He was a model soldier.

"Whenever I spent time with D Squadron, Trooper Leverett was always pushed to the front as his Squadron Leader recognised that Levy had all the qualities associated with a modern-day Armoured Corps trooper.

"He was young, bright, robust, fit, brave, intelligent and tremendously popular. He was not afraid to speak his mind, but he always did so in a balanced and measured fashion. However, it was the twinkle in his eye and his quick wit that I will really remember; the fact is that he had more than enough professional attributes to get away with it. He loved the regiment and his fellow soldiers, and he also loved his family very dearly.

"Trooper James Leverett died on operations in southern Nahr-e Saraj, Helmand province. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, girlfriend and unborn child. He will never be forgotten by his many friends. We will remember him. Quis Separabit."

Frustrated England troops are confused after England’s first World Cup game.

Hundreds of British and US troops watched the opening match of England's World Cup campaign all over Camp Bastion last night.

The final score of 1-1 left England supporters deflated as they left the Bastion coffee shop at 1 am and the American troops left happier than they imagined they would.


Specialist Norman Stoddard from the US Navy said: “That was a great game for us but England deserved to have won really, I am not sure how they didn’t.”

Cpl Steve Clark from Royal Dragoon Guards said: “I can’t believe that we gave it away. We deserved to win. Roll on the next game when we can show what we are really made of.”

British and American soldiers watched the game in front of television sets located all around Camp Bastion.


Major Will Turner from the Counter IED Team said: “England have a great chance of going all the way if they have a confident start. Unfortunately we didn’t win this one.”

Regimental Sergeant Major Yorkie Wilson from Joint Helicopter Force (Afghanistan) said "It is massively important that the troops have a certain amount of welfare facilities available especially when they are coming back in from out on the ground. Being able to watch the England game is just an added bonus.”

Craftsman Sean Alsop and Michael Pearce from 1 Close Support Battalion, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME), painted their faces and donned flags like they would back home

“It is fantastic being able to watch this whilst we are out here. The US goal was disappointing in the first half but it has been fun watching it together in the same place.”

300 television sets had been sent to Afghanistan in order for the off duty troops to watch the games in their own units. Recording facilities have also been set up to produce DVDs of the match which can then be sent out to the forward operating bases and patrol bases for the front line soldiers to keep up to date with progress.

Whilst operations continue to take priority, the soldiers are very grateful to have the ability to catch the games that they can.


Royal Marine Dan Moxham, an ex professional player himself, said: “We are all here for operations first but there are loads of patriotic people out here, so being able to watch the game is fantastic. We are not going to get too excited but England really can go all the way!”

Staff Sergeant Teresa Jarnagin from the US Army said: “We are so lucky to be able to enjoy this freedom when our lads are out on the front line right now.”

Pictures: Cpl Gary Kendall RLC

British forces push back Taliban in southern Nad 'Ali

British soldiers have been involved in a dramatic push south into insurgent-held territory to move Taliban fighters away from the population centres of the southern Nad 'Ali district and establish new patrol bases.

A soldier from 1st Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment out on patrol

The operation was undertaken by Combined Force Nad 'Ali whose units include 1st Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, the Royal Dragoon Guards, the Queen's Royal Lancers, 1st Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland, 21 Engineer Regiment, the Counter-Improvised Explosive Device Task Force and the Joint Helicopter Force (Afghanistan). Afghan security forces also took part in Operation TOR MAHKE ZI, or 'BLACK PUSH FORWARD', that took over a week to complete.

Royal Engineers supported the infantry operations too by building the new bases.

Commanding Officer of Combined Force Nad 'Ali, Lieutenant Colonel Frazer Lawrence, said:

"There are three small population centres down on the southern patrol baseline. At the moment, the patrol bases are right in the population centres. If the insurgent attacks the patrol bases it means the local population could get caught up in the fighting. That is the last thing that we want to happen.

"So the purpose of this operation has been to push the patrol bases further out to increase the security footprint, and to provide a buffer zone between the patrol bases and the local population, so that should fighting occur, the locals are not caught up in it."

A shura is held with locals during the operation to explain its purpose and how it will bring security to the region

The operation saw three new patrol bases taken over by British and Afghan forces. These were then used as footholds to provide protection from insurgents whilst Army bomb disposal experts cleared roads running into the new locations of IEDs.

At the same time, ground-holding patrols repelled insurgents on the right and left of the new routes, who were attempting to disrupt the operation.

The operation began with a move by the Brigade Reconnaissance Force in Jackal vehicles to pull insurgents away from the intended new patrol base areas. This was followed by a push at dawn by infantry troops to seize the new patrol base locations and establish hasty defensive positions to repel any Taliban attacks until the new compounds had been cleared of possible improvised explosive devices.

The move saw soldiers from the Queen's Royal Lancers and 1st Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment deploying on the ground carrying in excess of 120lbs (54kg) of kit, with each man carrying a minimum of six litres of water. Temperatures during the day rose to 45 degrees Celsius.

Royal Engineer Search Advisor Sergeant Simon Fudge, 36 Engineer Regiment, keeps watch during a patrol

Trooper Wayne Ayres from the Queen's Royal Lancers said: "We got up before first light, about two in the morning, and got ready to move out to secure a compound. We tabbed out at about fiveish with a lot of kit, a hell of a lot of kit, the bags were really heavy. It took about an hour-and-a-half, maybe two, to get here and we dug shallow trenches [shell scrapes] to fortify our position and secure it for the engineers to come and check the compound over.

"Digging in was hard at first because the ground is baked, but once you got about a foot into it it was a bit softer. But working in this heat with all the kit on is difficult. We had to swap every ten minutes to rotate through the jobs because it was so hard, really hot and sweaty."

Multiple Commander Captain Edward Plunkett, Queen's Royal Lancers, commented: "What we're doing here is securing this facility [the compound], our future home for the next five months anyway. This is going to be the southern-most patrol base of this area. We'll be the most southern call sign, effectively on the forward line of enemy troops."

Firefights with insurgent forces involving small arms and rocket-propelled grenades occurred frequently during the course of the operation:

"We got contacted from the south west, from two firing positions simultaneously. By then we had finished our shell scrapes and took cover. At the same time we had our eyes in the sky and an attack helicopter covering us," said Captain Plunkett.

At the same time, Army bomb disposal experts cleared over 2,500 metres of road, identifying and defusing six IEDs.

Members of the Counter-Improvised Explosive Device Task Force discuss how they are going to dispose of a device during a route clearance operation as part of Op TOR MAHKE ZI

Gurkha Royal Engineer Searcher Corporal Ashok Limbu of 36 Engineer Regiment said: "After I found the device I told my Section Commander what I had found and then we confirmed with the Royal Engineer Search Advisor how we were going to deal with it. We then extracted back from the device so we were safe from any possible blast to wait for the Ammunition Technical Officer to come and deal with it."

Army Bomb Disposal Officer Captain Ciaron Dyer commented on one of the devices he had to clear:

"I investigated the IED and removed several components including the main charge. The road itself was too narrow for me to blow it in situ because we wanted to use the road the following day. So I pulled it [the device] out of the ground, had another look at it, took some more photos, and blew it by the side of the road."

Once the new compounds had been secured, Sappers from 21 Engineer Regiment moved in to build defensive fortifications and sangars (sentry towers).

Soldiers from 21 Engineer Regiment erect short-term defences at a brand new checkpoint that was taken over during Op TOR MAHKE ZI

Sergeant Mattie Samson, 1st Armoured Engineer Squadron, said: "The operation went blindingly to start with and took less time than expected to complete. We had to adapt our original plan a couple of times, but we have built a strong defensive position. All the lads worked really well, labouring through the night to get the job completed."

The push further south in the Nad 'Ali district continues the efforts made by British forces during Operation MOSHTARAK earlier in the year to increase the military footprint in the area and improve the lives of the local nationals by increasing freedom of movement and ultimately allowing economic development to take place and undermine the insurgency.

The aim now is to hold this ground and start reconstruction and development projects in the region:

"The next step is to focus on the three communities, make sure governance has improved in these areas, improve reconstruction, and to get these population centres secure," said Lieutenant Colonel Lawrence.


Pictures: Captain J Timmerann RE & Corporal Barry Lloyd RLC

NEW LOOK FOR TROOPS IN AFGHANISTAN

British troops in Afghanistan are sporting a new look this spring as their uniform changes for the first time in over 40 years.

The new Multi Terrain Pattern camouflage has been designed to work across the range of terrains to reflect the diverse landscape that our troops encounter on patrol in Helmand Province. This is part of MOD’s ongoing programme of work to provide the best possible equipment and support to the front line.


Soldiers that deployed to Afghanistan in April, including members of the Royal Dragoon Guards, were the first to be issued with the new uniform. It will be issued to all military personnel by 2012.

Sergeant Luke Cunningham of the Royal Dragoon Guards said:

“I was in Afghanistan 2008 and so I have worn both Combat 95 and Multi-Terrain Pattern camouflage on operations. The new camo is definitely better for the conditions we face in the Green Zone of Helmand. It’s more comfortable and it is superior in terms of the operations we’re undertaking.”


The new camouflage was trialled in laboratory tests and field evaluations. This included aerial and scientific photography to provide the right colours and brightness to make the new camouflage pattern. Computer modelling was used to represent the Green Zone, deserts and mixed environments in Afghanistan.


Colonel Stephen James, Project Team Leader for Defence Equipment and Support Clothing Team, who was responsible for delivering the new pattern to operations, said:

“This is the first time since 1968 that we have introduced a new pattern to UK Forces. We have presented the new designs to the US Department of Defense and following our recommendations, the US Army are about to adopt the same technology for their uniform in Afghanistan.”

Dragoon Guards provide security for Afghan villagers

British cavalry soldiers from C Squadron of the Royal Dragoon Guards have taken up the mantle to protect and rebuild the village of Gorup-e Shesh Kalay near Nad 'Ali, following Operation MOSHTARAK.

Lieutenant Nick Landon talking with locals during a patrol through the village of Gorup-e Shesh Kalay

The cavalry soldiers, more used to moving around the battlefield in armoured reconnaissance vehicles, are carrying out a dismounted infantry role during their six-month tour of Afghanistan.

They have recently taken over a patrol base in the southern part of the Nad 'Ali district. The location was cleared of Taliban insurgents during Operation MOSHTARAK earlier in the year.

The mission for the junior officer-in-charge, Lieutenant Nick Landon, is to provide security and redevelopment within the village's surrounding area.

Lt Landon explained:

"Prior to Op MOSHTARAK taking place to the south of Nad 'Ali, this place was dominated by the Taliban.

"Certainly, when the first ISAF forces moved into this area they were unable to push south any more than 300 metres before they would see firefights with the enemy.

"Since MOSHTARAK has pushed the Taliban further to the south, the locals have seen a number of improvements to the village - reconstruction projects helped by ISAF, and the Afghan National Police working with the village elder.

"We've currently got a 'cash-for-works' project ongoing just outside the patrol base to clear some irrigation ditches, allowing better irrigation to the farmers' crops and improving the quality of the road surface just out to the west."

Although fighting has reduced, the soldiers are still aware of the dangers of carrying out redevelopment work on the front line.

Lt Landon continued:

"There is far less fighting around Gorup-e Shesh than there was during Op MOSHTARAK.

"However, in the last few weeks we've had a number of shoots onto the sangars [watchtowers] in the patrol base, which has helped keep the guys focused. It could very quickly turn kinetic."

ISAF's presence near Gorup-e Shesh Kalay is an example of the Task Force Helmand Commander's focus to 'clear', 'hold', and 'build' key population areas around the Green Zone.

By providing joint security on the ground with ISAF and Afghan security forces, redevelopment projects with the locals can be undertaken, allowing communities to rebuild their lives:

"Now that ISAF are showing that we can clear the Taliban, and once the Taliban have gone we can bring reconstruction and development to the towns, we're finding that a lot of local nationals are coming to the patrol base for assistance," added Lt Landon.

Picture: Corporal Barry Lloyd RLC

Royal Dragoon Guards arrive in Afghanistan

Trooper Daniel Hedges, from Pocklington, practices his drills before deploying to his forward base

Lead elements of the Royal Dragoon Guards regiment have arrived in Afghanistan, ahead of a six month deployment.

Soldiers from the Catterick based regiment started to arrive in early April and many have already deployed to their operational locations. Meanwhile, soldiers from the regiment’s ‘D’ Squadron are making final preparations before they leave the UK, for Afghanistan, in mid May.

.The Regiment is deploying as part of the NATO International Security Assistance Force mission

The regiment is deploying, as part of 4 Mechanised Brigade, on Herrick 12, and will undertake a number of different roles across Helmand Province.

The regiment is split amongst four squadrons. ‘B’ Squadron will be equipped with Mastiff Armoured vehicles and deploy in support of the Royal Ghurkha Rifles (1 RGR), the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment (1 Lancs.) and the Danish Battalion (Danbat) battle groups as manoeuvre support.

A Mastiff II heavily protected vehicle

‘C’ Squadron will carry out a ground holding infantry role as part of 1 Lancs. battle group. ‘D’ Squadron will be equipped with the Viking amphibious all terrain vehicle. ‘A’ Squadron will fulfil the rear party role and remain in Catterick.

The RDG regiment recruits from the areas of Yorkshire and Northern Ireland. The regiment has strong ties to the city of York; being awarded the freedom of the City in 1999. The regimental museum is at Tower Street.

Troopers Daniel Hedges (front)and Richard Pollock

Trooper Daniel Hedges (19), from Pocklington, will be working with partnered Afghan National Army troops carrying out foot patrols, together with colleagues from C Squadron, as part of the 1 Lancs. battle group. “I think the best thing about being out here for six months will be the bonding with the lads”, he said.

“You get much closer as a unit and get to know each other much better. I’m also looking forward to seeing how other nations like the Danes and the Afghans are working out here and how they do things.

“I was a bit uneasy about working with the Afghans at first, but now I’m really looking forward to it. I think it will be really interesting, learning about their culture and seeing how they operate.

Trooper Aidan Carter, from Keighley, prepares his vehicle for the first patrol

“The biggest challenge I think is going to be the weather because by the time we are at the height of summer, the heat is going to take its toll, especially on the men and equipment, but you just learn to live with it.

“I’ve got mum and dad and my girlfriend Kerry all back in Pocklington and they have been really supportive. Naturally, any parent is going to be quite worried and afraid of the unknown, but it’s just like basic training really in terms of the time away from home. You just have to crack on with it.

'B' Squadron prepare to deploy from Camp Bastion

“You do miss certain things from home, but it’s not like you are coming out here on your own. You’ve got your mates and it’s like one big family.

“I joined the RDG because it’s the local regiment and because it’s equipped with tanks. Things change though and we are now doing an infantry role in Afghanistan, but you have to adapt to it. I’m still looking forward to it, getting out here, seeing the locals and getting on with our job without losing anybody, or even getting injured.

Trooper Richard Pollock (19) from Acomb ,in York, will join Trooper Hedges in the Nad-e Ali district of Helmand Province. “I’m slightly apprehensive but I’m looking forward to it. I’m looking forward to trying to make a difference.

Trooper Richard Pollock, from Acomb, York

“The training we have had seems to be falling into place so far and I’m looking forward to that continuing.

“Out here, you tend to bond more as a team. You’re not constantly getting told off just because you are a junior rank. You are treated more like an adult and a part of the team and I’m looking forward to that continuing.

“I think the biggest challenge is being switched on for the entire time. I am the primary route finder or ‘point man’, for the majority of what we do. So you have to be completely focused when you are doing it. You always have to be second guessing where the insurgents have planted the IEDs and I imagine that is going to be pretty exhausting after several months.

Trooper Richard Smith, from Middlesbrough, tightens the wheel nuts of his Mastiff armoured vehicle

“My sister lives in Acomb and my grandparents live in Haxby. They think the same thing that every family thinks. They are concerned and worried about me, but I have said to them that it was ultimately my decision and it’s a voluntary army, no-one forces you to do it, so they are supportive of me, but understandably apprehensive.

“The worst thing about being here at the moment is the dust. It is just unbelievable. 2 or 3 days ago, we were sat in boiling hot sun, then torrential rain and then a dust storm, all within the space of half an hour. So it is a complete mix, but until we step outside of the wire I don’t want to be second guessing anything”.

Captain Mike Lee, Squadron Headquarters Troop Leader, will join the Danish battalion together with 24 Royal Dragoon Guard soldiers under his command. “Everyone is happy to be out here, it is what they have trained for. It’s a shame we are not working with all of our friends from back in Catterick, from the regiment, but we do occasionally bump into them and it’s always nice to see another RDG.

Captain Mike Lee

“If anything, because we have three squadrons in Afghanistan, all deployed in different roles, and all learning new jobs, we are all learning from each other as well.

“In the pre-deployment training, when some people were training to do an infantry style role, we were training to work in Mastiffs and others were working in Viking armoured vehicles. It’s been really interesting. Everyone’s been doing a new bit of training and they talk to each other about it and learn lessons from each other.

“Because of the nature of war in Afghanistan, we haven’t deployed main battle tanks. We’ve never had them in Afghanistan and it’s certainly a different role for us. But that said, the troops have all adapted really well. The Mastiff is a great bit of kit, and they really enjoy working in it. It’s a well protected heavily armoured vehicle which is what they are used to and it’s what they enjoy.

“Afghanistan is continually changing and the main focus for our training over the past six months has been not just the war fighting element, but more importantly, on exercising courageous restraint. It’s all about teaching that although we can return fire, sometimes it is better not to, because if we are going to succeed out in Afghanistan, we are going to succeed by protecting the local population, working with the Afghan National Army and working with the locals. The biggest challenge is going to be getting that balance right.

Trooper Cowan Botha, from South Africa, and Trooper James Whiteley, from Leeds

“The troops understand that concept and we have lots of discussions with them to make sure they understand it and they know what they have to do to bring this conflict to a close.

“For my troop, working with the Danes should be interesting. We have been out with them a few times. They are really friendly. It’s very interesting. They are still part of ISAF and their coffee is fantastic.

Picture Credit: Captain Philip Atkinson SCOTS