Remembering the Fallen: on this day in 2005, Guardsman Anthony James Wakefield, 1st Battalion The Coldstream Guards, died in Iraq during a patrol in the town of Al Amarah. He had been the top cover sentry in the second of a two-vehicle patrol when an IED detonated. He was given first aid at the scene, but sadly died of his injuries after being evacuated to the Battlegroup’s base. He had joined the army at the age of seventeen; his brother said that Anthony was very proud to be a soldier and loved his job. Lt. Col. Andrew Williams paid tribute: "Guardsman Wakefield was a supremely fit and popular soldier who died doing his duty. A proud Coldstream Guardsman, he was attached to the Staffords Battlegroup and had made many friends during his time with us. To all those who were lucky enough to know him, it was clear that he loved his duty and had a very bright future ahead of him. He was already a qualified Physical Training Instructor and had been selected to attend a course for promotion at the end of the 6 month tour. He will be sorely missed.” Anthony, from Newcastle, was twenty-four years old and left behind two sons, aged seven and two.