Remembering the Fallen: on this day in 2011 Captain Tom Jennings, Royal Marines, on attachment to the Special Boat Service, died after the vehicle he was travelling in struck an explosive device while on an operation to the south of Kabul. Squadron Leader Anthony Downing of the R.A.F. was in the same vehicle and died of his injuries the following day. They were on a covert counter-insurgency mission when they were targeted, and had been in contact with Afghans on an outreach patrol. The Ministry of Defence released this statement: “Captain Jennings was a true leader, selfless in his professional approach serving those who were his responsibility. Dedicated and humble, he was an archetypal Royal Marine with a keen sense of humour even when faced with adversity. While working with the Afghan forces that he partnered, he displayed empathy and a broad cultural understanding that ensured he was highly valued by the Afghans as well as his Royal Marine brothers.” Tom, from Bournemouth, was 29 years old and married with two small sons.