Remembering the Fallen: on this day in 2010, Private Robert Hayes, 1st Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment, was killed as a result of an IED blast while conducting a security patrol south of Check Point Paraang in southern Nad e-Ali, Helmand province.

His childhood ambition had been to be a soldier. Having joined up at the age of 18, he deployed to Afghanistan with C (Essex) Company, 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment (Vikings), attached to the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards Battle Group. He is remembered as well-liked, professional, talented and courageous.

Major Christopher Davies said: “The tragic loss of such a young, gifted and promising member of C Company is deeply saddening. Although he had only been in the Army for just over a year, Private Robert Hayes was quick to make his own mark and as a result became widely recognised across the battalion as an extremely capable soldier, brave comrade and talented boxer. He fully accepted his role in Afghanistan and ensured that his personal contribution to the mission made a genuine difference. For over two months he was involved in heavy and relentless fighting against insurgents and always acted in a courageous, decisive and selfless manner. The considerate way in which he interacted with the local population was synonymous with someone who was genuinely decent and wanted betterment for those less fortunate than himself. Private Robert Hayes was immensely popular and sacrificed his life doing something that he truly believed in.”

Robert, from Cambridge, was 19 years old.