 Lance Corporal Benjamin 'Ben' Whatley, aged 20, from Lima Company, 42 Commando Royal Marines, was killed in Afghanistan on 24 December 2008.Lima Company was conducting an operation to clear enemy forces from the north of the district of Nad-E-Ali when a fierce and prolonged fire fight occurred during which L/Cpl Whatley was fatally wounded.Corporal Liam Elms, aged 26, from Zulu Company, 45 Commando, Royal Marines was killed by an explosion while taking part in a local area patrol alongside Afghan National Army troops on the afternoon of 31 December 2008 in the Sangin district, Helmand province, Afghanistan.