Remembering the Fallen: on this day in 2008, Captain James Thompson of 21 Special Air Service Regiment became the first SAS officer to be killed in Afghanistan. He had been in a foot patrol as part of operations in the Musa Qal’eh area when he was caught in an explosion and died of his injuries. A graduate of Leeds Metropolitan University, he had previously worked as a computer technician. His Commanding Officer issued this statement: "James Thompson was a special individual. A professional and reliable soldier in every respect - we were all privileged to serve alongside James who excelled in all that he did. His death has come as a great shock and he will be sadly missed by all his colleagues." James, from Whitley Bay, was 27 years old