Obituary for Private T A Rawson
Shortly before 0600 hours on 10 August 2007, a patrol that was en-route to check on a local irrigation project came under heavy fire from Taliban fighters. It was during the ensuing firefight that two soldiers were injured. An emergency helicopter was requested but sadly Pte Tony Rawson was pronounced dead at the scene and flown to the medical facility at Camp Bastion.
Pte Rawson joined the British Army in July 2002 after visiting the Ilford Army Careers Information Office. He attended the Infantry Training Centre at Catterick, and after completing his training, joined the 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment in March 2003.
Pte Rawson had taken part in a number of exercises in the UK, Italy and Kenya. He deployed to Iraq on Operation Telic 6 as part of the All Arms Search Team – something he was very proud of and believed to be one of his biggest achievements. His leadership and organisational ability was identified and during 2006 he was selected to attend the Battalion’s JNCO cadre. However, due to a knee injury he was unfortunately unable to complete it. His high standard of soldiering and administrative skills were still utilised, and he was employed as a section 2IC within his platoon.
Pte Rawson had been deployed on Operation Herrick 6 in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, since June 2007. He had been involved in numerous engagements with enemy forces and had always been in the thick of things, using his experience to best effect and demonstrating himself to be a highly professional and capable individual.
Pte Rawson enjoyed the physical aspects of military life and because he thought of himself as ‘a small bloke’, felt he had a lot to prove, to himself and not to others. He achieved this admirably by representing his company in the inter-company boxing competition, which he won. He always kept fit and believed that to be key in achieving his goals.
Pte Rawson gained the nickname ‘Nicey’ when he turned up at the Battalion because of his nature, friendliness and willingness to go out of his way to do anything for his fellow soldiers.
Pte Rawson lived with his fiancée, Louise Steventon, and her daughter, Caitlin, in Dagenham, Essex. He was a devoted family man and was planning to get married in March 2008. He was very excited and proud of the fact that they were expecting their first child.