Britain's 100 fallen heroes in Afghanistan

Fallen soldiers: The latest casualties brings the number of servicemen killed in Afghanistan to 100

Three soldiers have been killed in a suicide blast, bringing the British death toll of the Afghanistan conflict to 100. The men, from 2nd Battalion the Parachute Regiment, were on a foot patrol in Helmand province when they were attacked by a suicide bomber. One of the men was killed at the scene. Two more were seriously injured and taken by helicopter to hospital in Camp Bastion, where they died of their wounds.

My thoughts today are with all the families, relatives and friends of those who have died or been injured.

For The Fallen

With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,
England mourns for her dead across the sea.
Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of spirit,
Fallen in the cause of the free.
Solemn the drums thrill: Death august and royal
Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres.
There is music in the midst of desolation
And a glory that shines upon our tears.
They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
They mingle not with laughing comrades again;
They sit no more at familiar tables of home;
They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;
They sleep beyond England's foam.
But where our desires are and our hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known
As the stars are known to the Night;
As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain,
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.

Laurence Robert Binyon, 1869-1943

Britain's 100 fallen heroes: Tragic milestone reached after Afghan suicide bomb kills three | Mail Online: "Britain's 100 fallen heroes"