 At approximately 0900hrs local time on Monday 21 April 2008 Trooper Pearson was part of the Armoured Support Company Royal Marines who were providing security to a resupply convoy that was returning to Camp Bastion when the vehicle he was driving hit a suspected mine.Another soldier was injured in the blast and received medical treatment.Trooper Ratu Babakobau, aged 29, of the Household Cavalry Regiment was killed Friday 2 May 2008 in Helmand, Afghanistan at 1350hrs local time while providing protection for a routine patrol in the Nowzad area of northern Helmand.