19-year-old Pte Chris Gray was a tall, dark haired lad whose soft northern accent will be fondly missed by all. Pte Gray was a genuinely keen soldier who combined his passion for the Army with an obsessive interest in computer gaming. He was a keen supporter of Arsenal Football Club, enjoyed snowboarding, and before joining the Army he was heavily involved in paint-balling. Chris and the fellow members of his section were avid fans of the recent film release: ‘300’. Apart from the use of the phrase ‘For Sparta!’, Pte Gray will be remembered by his muckers as ‘Spartan 223’.

Pte Gray hadn’t been in the Battalion long, but he had been in long enough to make a big and positive impression on those that knew him. He joined the Army in March 2006, completed training as an infantry soldier at the Infantry Training Centre Catterick, and then joined A (Fighting Ninth) Company of the 1st Battalion the Royal Anglian Regiment in September 2006. He quickly established himself in 3 (Corunna) Platoon, showing that he was keen to learn; quickly gaining the trust and respect of his peers.

On Friday 13 April 2007, lead elements of A Company Group were conducting a clearance patrol in the east of the town of Nowzad, Helmand Province, Afghanistan. The Taliban had enjoyed freedom of action in this area previously – the Company Group’s task was to disrupt the Taliban operations and regain the initiative – improving security and setting the conditions for reconstruction and development to take place. After clearing 2.3 square kilometers of compounds the patrol moved to establish a snap ambush before extracting back to the Combat Outpost. It was at this stage that the Taliban engaged the lead element of the patrol – 1 (Almanza) Platoon. Temporarily, the lead section (commanded by Sgt ‘Larry’ Holmes) found themselves pinned down by intense and accurate enemy machine gun, rocket and mortar fire. Pte Gray’s Platoon was ordered to manoeuvre to support their comrades and out-flank the enemy. Pte Gray was the point man in his platoon – he found himself in this position not by accident – but because he was an outstanding soldier and highly proficient with the Light Machine Gun that he carried. As they moved, Pte Gray’s section observed a group of armed Taliban fighters at close range, whom they immediately engaged. A fierce firefight ensued at a range of just 15 metres, during which five Taliban were killed (a total of 22 Taliban were killed during the Company Group’s action that day). Tragically, during the short battle, Pte Gray was shot in the side of his chest and mortally wounded. By sheer misfortune the bullet had entered the small gap between the front and rear body armour plates. His comrades fought on bravely around him, killing the enemy and then extracting Pte Gray to safety. His section commander, Cpl ‘Billy’ Moore was himself shot in the arm as he fired to cover the recovery of Pte Gray. Despite the best efforts of his colleagues and medical staff he was pronounced dead on arrival at the military hospital at Camp Bastion.

Pte Gray had two younger brothers and a younger sister. He was a former pupil of Ratby Primary, Brookvale and Holmefirth High Schools, and later attended Groby Community College, Leicestershire. His family said of him: ‘He was a much loved and cherished son, grandson and brother, who was proud to serve his country. He will always be missed.’

Pte Gray was a superlative soldier; passionate about his job; and a man with real leadership potential. It comes as no surprise to those of us who knew him that he died courageously in close combat, his face to the enemy, selflessly striving to relieve comrades in extreme danger.

Pte Gray was a young man with a big heart and a calm, generous and immensely trustworthy personality. A close friend to many, Chris Gray had an infectious sense of humour and possessed a degree of optimism that many of his more cynical peers found baffling.

Despite the overall success of the action in which Pte Gray was involved, his death marks a tragedy to all those that knew him; he will be sorely missed and never forgotten. His ability and example serve as proof, if it were needed, that the British soldier is as courageous today as he has ever been.