Remembering the Fallen: on this day in 2006 Trooper Carl Smith of the 9th/12th Royal Lancers (Prince of Wales') died as a result of a vehicle accident whilst on operations in Abu Al Khasib, south of Basra, Iraq. He had only been in Iraq for eleven days when the collision occurred.

He had joined the army at the age of twenty-two, and deployed to Iraq just ten days before his death. He is remembered during his training as quick, bright and committed, and in Iraq he is remembered as being sharp and enthusiastic, a good reconnaissance soldier who adapted quickly and relished the demands made on him.

His Commanding Officer said: “Trooper Carl Smith settled in very quickly to regimental soldiering, his early impressions of Iraq were positive and he understood the importance of his mission. Despite only serving for a short time he had already earned an excellent reputation as a hard worker. As all members of the Regiment who die on active service, his sacrifice will be remembered and never forgotten. Carl bore all the trademarks of what makes the British Army great. Keen, intelligent, compassionate and motivated he was moved greatly by those he encountered in Iraq during the course of his patrols. Our thoughts are with his family and young son. The Regiment has lost a friend and a soldier brimming with potential. We count ourselves fortunate to have served with such a man.”

Carl, from Rushden in Northamptonshire, was 23 years old and left behind a three-year-old son.