Battlefield casualty evacuation of Royal Anglian ,Chris Gray who Sadly Died in Afghanistan 2007

Private Chris Gray Sadly died in Afghanistan on Friday 13 April 2007.

Private Chris Gray, aged 19, from 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, was killed in action whilst fighting the Taliban in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

He was a member of A Company Group, 1 Royal Anglian Battlegroup, conducting a clearance patrol in the town of Now Zad in support of the Government of Afghanistan. The patrol was attacked by the Taliban; employing small arms, heavy machine guns, rocket propelled grenades, mortars and rockets.

As lead elements of the patrol were pinned down by enemy fire, Private Grays Platoon manoeuvred to support their comrades and out-flank the enemy. Private Gray was the point man in his Platoon selected for this position as a result of his outstanding soldiering skills.

As they manoeuvred, Private Grays 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 a small number of Taliban were killed.

Tragically, during the battle Private Gray was shot and despite the best efforts of his colleagues and medical staff was pronounced dead on arrival at the British Hospital at Camp Bastion.

Private Chris Gray

Private Gray joined the British Army in March 2006 and, having completed training as an infantry soldier at the Infantry Training Centre Catterick, he joined the 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment in September 2006.

He was born in Leicester and attended the Holmfirth School in Huddersfield. Among his many interests he had a love of outdoor life and was a keen snowboarder.


Private Gray has two younger brothers and a younger sister. He was a former pupil of Ratby Primary and Brookvale High Schools, and later attended Groby Community College, Leicestershire.

In a statement, his family said:

"He was a much loved and cherished son, grandson and brother, who was proud to serve his country. He will always be missed."

His Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Stuart Carver, said:

"Private Chris Gray had quickly established himself as a highly respected member of 1 Royal Anglian and his death is a tragic loss that is deeply felt by all members of the Battalion. It came as no surprise to those that knew him that he died courageously in close combat, selflessly striving to relieve comrades in extreme danger.

"He was a true Viking who we will never forget. Our sympathy and thoughts are with his family and friends at this very difficult time."

His Company Commander, Major Dom Biddick MBE, said:

"He was a superlative soldier; passionate about his job; and a man with real leadership potential. Grayman, as he was known to his friends, was a young man with a big heart and a calm, generous and immensely trustworthy personality. A close friend to many, Private Gray had an infectious sense of humour and possessed a degree of optimism that many of his more cynical peers found baffling."

His best friend, Private Matt Duffy, also of A Company, said:

"Chris was an awesome soldier and a better mate. He loved the job more than anyone and died doing what he loved."

Another friend from A Company, Private Terry Croft, said:

"He was a generous friend and would always share his last biscuit with you. You could trust him with anything."

Please Show your support for the vikings by buying a "Support Vikings in Afghanistan" Charity Wrist Band
http://www.royalanglianasso...

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[skinnymason]

Anyone who missed OUR WAR -10 YEARS IN AFGHANISTAN- AMBUSHED on BBC 3 Last night quickly watch it on the BBC I Player Awesome talks about the infamous 2007 Afghan tour and also talks in detail about the sad death of PTE Grey,one not to be missed 

[TheChumb4]

what point did they name after him? fort grey? point grey?

[Jiminiblobster]

@SnakesProductions It wasn't because of the 'stupid' soldiers. They said he was already dead.

[black39gold]

@funkyfenman Yeh i see. No disrespect to the soldiers at all :P They finished the rest of the tour brilliantly

[funkyfenman]

@black39gold

Your probably right,but the way i see it,you can train as much as you want in peace time but no plan survives under a real contact,

Dont mock soldiers and call them stupid unless youve been in the same situation yourself,thats what i took offence to mate

[black39gold]

@funkyfenman TBH the seargent in charge described the casualty evacuation of Pte Grey as an 'complete and utter gang fuck'. It could have gone alot better. This video misses alot of the bad bits of the evac out.

[08chazman08]

@skinnymason i was reduced to tears im 16 and planning on joining the army because i want to fight in afghanistan and the reality hit me i couldnt stop crying all the way through that i still want to join but its gunna be difficult 

[SnakesProductions]

Guys i was watching this yesterday at BBC three 21:00 and he got shot in the side and hes men didn't know what to do until the sergeant was telling them what to do. His life was cost because of stupid Soldiers.

R.I.P Gray 19 yrs old Night Night Man!

[NicholasNickleby68]

RIP Pte Gray. You will never be forgotten.

[blocko44]

A very brave young man, RIP Chris.