Remembering the Fallen: on this day in 2010, Bombardier Stephen Gilbert, from 4th Regiment Royal Artillery, died from wounds sustained in Afghanistan during an explosion in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province two weeks earlier. He had joined the army in 1999, and also served in Kosovo and Iraq. He was known for his vigour, professionalism and dedication, and he was selected to become an instructor at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate. There he typified the ideal instructor; dynamic, proficient and with an infectious sense of humour which motivated the young recruits. His C.O. remembers him: “A rising star, a fit, robust Scotsman, he was a man of great compassion and moral purpose. As a soldier he was the epitome of the Gunner Fire Support Team Assistant. Knowledgeable enough to teach and mentor his team, strong enough to support his commander, fearless enough to lead them in the fight, courageous enough to lift his head from the ditch and call for fire, and compassionate enough to treat his team as his own family; men like him are truly rare. He fought for the final days of his life as he had lived, with true passion and spirit.” Stephen, from Topcliffe in North Yorkshire, was 36 years old and left behind his wife and two sons.