Remembering the Fallen: on this day in 2008, Marine Dale Gostick, of 3 Troop Armoured Support Company, Royal Marines, was killed in Afghanistan. His troop were returning to their Forward Operating Base when the Viking he was driving struck a mine. He was pronounced dead at the scene; two other Royal Marines were injured but survived. Marine Gostick was known to his friends as “Master Chief General of the Universe,” to reflect his humorous and relaxed approach to life. He had joined the Royal Marines in 2004, and this was his second operational tour. Major Jez Stemp said: “We have lost a great Marine today. Marine Gostick was a huge part of his Troop and the Company alike, highly professional, confident and outgoing, he seemed to thrive on the challenges which life presented him and took great pride in his ability both as a rifleman and as a Viking Operator. He arrived in Afghanistan in December 2007 and quickly settled into a role he knew well. He was an integral part of the Armoured Support Company, extremely popular with his peers, and despite only a short time within the Corps, an already extremely experienced Marine with huge operational experience. A physically strong man with a great sense of humour, he was everything you would expect a Marine to be, he would not flinch at a challenge or a dangerous task. He epitomised the Commando spirit - cheerful in the face of adversity, selfless, and above all, a good friend. The Royal Marines have lost a brave man, a strong and gentle man, a friend.” Dale, from Oxford, was 22 years old.