Remembering the Fallen: on this day in 2012, Corporal Jack Leslie Stanley, the Queen's Royal Hussars, died in hospital in Birmingham from wounds sustained in Afghanistan two months earlier. He had been on patrol in the area of Pupalzay Kalay, east of Lashkar Gah city, when he was caught in the blast from an IED. His mother said that in hospital he fought hard to survive, but his injuries were too devastating.

He had joined the army in 2003, just before his eighteenth birthday, and deployed to Iraq twice, where he earned the reputation of being a gifted young soldier.

Major Alexander Porter said: “It has been an honour and a privilege to command Corporal Jack Stanley. He joined C Company from the Regimental Reconnaissance Troop preceded by an exemplary reputation which he upheld throughout pre-deployment training exercises and onto deployment to Afghanistan. His enthusiasm, sense of humour and professionalism were infectious and his subordinates had a clear sense of loyalty to him. Corporal Stanley’s performance in Afghanistan was outstanding. The whole Company are shocked and saddened by this devastating loss of a life in its prime. We have all been deprived of one of the Army’s finest soldiers and he will be dearly missed.”

From WO1 Colin Davidson: Cpl Jack Stanley very quickly established himself as one to watch. He had a quick wit, an engaging smile and huge talent both as a soldier and member of the Regimental football team. I have been humbled by his impact as a junior commander on Operation Herrick 15. Jack Stanley lived the unofficial regimental motto and truly was “Better by Far” in everything he did. Supremely fit, and destined for the top, he was the finest of his generation.” Jack, from Littleborough, was 26 years old.