Guardsman Michael Roland killed in Afghanistan
It is with
sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm the death of Guardsman
Michael Roland, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards. He died on Friday 27th
April 2012 as a result of a gunshot wound sustained in Afghanistan.
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Guardsman Michael Roland
[Picture: via MOD] |
Guardsman Michael Roland deployed to Afghanistan on 3rd April 2012
as a Rifleman in Number Three Platoon, part of The Queen’s Company
Grenadier Guards. He was based in Main Operating Base Price near Gereshk
in the Nahr-e-Saraj North District of Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
On
26 April 2012 Guardsman Roland deployed with his Company on a three day
operation to disrupt insurgent activity in a contested area in the
north of Nahr-e-Saraj District. On the morning of 27th April 2012 he was
fatally wounded during an exchange of small arms fire. He was extracted
back to the hospital in Camp Bastion but sadly he died of his injuries.
Guardsman Roland was born on 5th August 1989 in Worthing, Sussex.
After joining the Army, Guardsman Roland attended the Combat
Infantryman’s Course at the Infantry Training Centre, Catterick. Upon
completion of his training in November 2009 he moved to Nijmegen
Company, Grenadier Guards in London. He spent a year conducting public
duties at the Royal Palaces and participating in state ceremonial tasks.
Guardsman Roland joined 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards in November 2010
and was placed in The Queen’s Company. His first year in the Battalion
included field training in the UK and an exercise in Canada. From
September 2011 he undertook six months of preparatory training for his
first tour of Afghanistan, before deploying in early April 2012.
Guardsman Roland’s family paid the following tribute:
“Michael was a loving and caring son loved by his huge extended
family and friends who are devastated by their loss. We are still coming
to terms with losing him. Michael always wanted to join the Army and
was so proud to be part of Queen’s Company Grenadier Guards. Michael
loved us all so much; with us he was not big and tough just gentle. We
will miss him so much.”
Lieutenant Colonel James Bowder MBE, Commanding Officer 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, said:
“Guardsman Roland’s death is a tremendous loss to a close Battalion.
Sparky, diligent and super-fit, he was a terrific soldier with a bright
future. That he achieved so much in his short life is testament to his
drive and ambition. He was an absolute pleasure to command and will be
missed hugely by the Battalion and the Regimental family as a whole.
"We are all extremely proud of Guardsman Roland’s selfless commitment
to this important mission. Moreover, we are resolved to finish the job
that he so bravely started. Finally, our prayers are with his parents,
girlfriend and broader family; we share their great sense of loss and
will never forget this most extraordinary of Guardsmen.”
“Michael was a loving and caring son loved by his huge extended family and friends who are devastated by their loss."
Guardsman Roland’s family
Major Piers Ashfield, The Captain of The Queen’s Company, said:
“Guardsman Roland was one of the leading lights of The Queen's
Company. His stoic devotion to duty and the generous friendship he
offered to all those he met epitomised the man for whom no hardship was
worthy of complaint. Guardsman Roland leaves behind a Company who will
continue to cherish memories of shared laughter and happiness. The
Queen's Company offers its most heartfelt condolences to Guardsman
Roland's family and friends.”
Lieutenant Alex Budge, Platoon Commander, 3 Platoon, said:
“Guardsman Roland epitomised a Grenadier Guardsman. Fit, tenacious
and a character; he was liked by all for his sense of humour and
respected by all for his skill as an infantry soldier. I would say he
was one of the best Guardsman in the Company. His passing brings sorrow
to us all, but we can take comfort that he died doing a job that he
loved.”
Sergeant Archer, Platoon Sergeant 3 Platoon, The Queen’s Company, said:
“Guardsman Roland was a young and dedicated soldier who put his job
before anything else. A fit, keen soldier and loyal to the end,
Guardsman Roland was the template to which all Guardsmen should aspire.
Never in trouble and never late, he was a model Guardsman who will truly
be missed within the platoon. My deepest sympathies go out to his
loving parents, who we are all thinking of at this difficult time.”
Lance Sergeant Hendy, Section Commander, The Queen’s Company, said:
“Guardsman Roland was a character to say the least, forever talking
about himself in the third person which always made me laugh. He was my
point man in the Section during pre-tour training, and was point man in
the multiple out here. He was given this position for good reason. He
was one of the fittest men in the platoon, very trustworthy and brave.
He did everything to the best of his ability and would surely have gone a
long way in the Grenadiers.”
Lance Sergeant Mooney, Section Commander, The Queen’s Company, said:
“Guardsman Roland was part of both my platoon and the Company Search
Team. He knew he would be at the front of patrols and searching
compounds. Even knowing the tasks he would be given would place him in
danger, he never complained or even mentioned it for that matter. He was
an integral part of the team and the platoon. He will be sorely missed
by all members of The Queen's Company. Gone, but never forgotten.”
"(Guardsman Roland) was an integral part of the team and the platoon. He
will be sorely missed by all members of The Queen's Company. Gone, but
never forgotten.”
Lance Sergeant Mooney, Section Commander, The Queen’s Company
Lance Corporal Clarke, Fire Team Commander, The Queen’s Company, said:
“Mike was a caring bloke. He had so many ambitions. He took part in
so many activities and was always up for a good laugh and a fair few
beers with the boys. He was never afraid to lead the way, and we had a
lot of good times together.”
Guardsman Wates, Guardsman in The Queen’s Company, said:
“Guardsman Roland was always happy to help and give good advice. He
made me feel very welcome on joining the platoon, and I'm going to miss
him very much.”
Guardsman Churchill, Guardsman in The Queen’s Company, said:
“Guardsman Roland was a pleasure to work with, as well as being a
good friend. Everything he did, he did to the best of his ability. A
true soldier who will be missed.”
The Secretary of State for Defence, Philip Hammond, said:
"I was deeply saddened to hear of the death of Guardsman Michael
Roland. It is clear that he was a brave man and highly professional
soldier. The circumstances of his death by all accounts sum up his army
life: in the thick of the fight and looking out for his comrades. I can
only endorse the tributes paid to him by his family, for whom he was a
hero. They have my deepest sympathy."
"Everything he did, he did to the best of his ability. A true soldier who will be missed.”
Guardsman Churchill, Guardsman in The Queen’s Company
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