Two RAF crewmen died as their Tornado crashed into Glen Kinglas in Argyll during a low altitude training flight and the most senior army officer killed in battle since the Falklands War died in Helmand Province, Afghanistan in the space of a few hours demonstrating the very human consequence of defending our nation at home and abroad.

The RAF are to investigate the circumstances of the Tornado crash with speculation already pointing to human error and flying too low.  Lieutenant Colonel Rupert Thorneloe, commanding officer of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards paid the ultimate price when an improvised device detonated below his armoured vehicle and died along with 18-year-old Trooper Joshua Hammond, of 2nd Royal Tank Regiment.

The thoughts of a nation are with the loved ones of those who defend our nation with pride and who lay down their life for Queen and country.  Whether in training or on the battle field every loss is keenly felt by our whole nation and every service man and woman should know just how proud we are of them all.