Remembering the Fallen: on this day in 2010, Sergeant Paul Maurice Fox, of 28 Engineer Regiment, attached to the Brigade Reconnaissance Force, was killed in an IED blast while on foot patrol in southern Nad ‘Ali, Helmand province.

Sergeant Fox had joined the Army in 1994 and trained as a Combat Engineer and Welder Royal Engineer Class 1, and excelled as he moved through the ranks, being noted for his professionalism. In 2008 he was recommended by his Officer Commanding to join the Reconnaissance Troop; he came top in Recce Selection Cadre, and became a Troop Sergeant with the Brigade Reconnaissance Force, with which he deployed to Afghanistan the following year.

Lieutenant Colonel Matt Bazeley said: "Sergeant Fox was above all else a quite outstanding man. A tremendous soldier, impressive leader, fine engineer, good friend, cracking SNCO, but principally just a great man. He volunteered for selection and training to join the Brigade Recce Force; a job and operational environment that was made for a man of Sergeant Fox’s ability. He had been employed as a Troop Sergeant from the start of Op HERRICK 11 and had quickly established himself amongst the very best in this demanding role. His quick wit, committed sense of purpose, dedication and capacity was beyond doubt. Having been casevac’d from the field on an earlier occasion he was determined to get out of hospital and back out with his men as quickly as he could. His sense of duty and responsibility for them was such that he would never take a step back, always look after their interests, take the lead where others may have stumbled, drive on when situations or circumstances were against him. He was that good.”

Paul, from St. Ives, was 34 years old and married with three children.