The last casualty
Soldier dies of injuries 12 years after being shot in Afghanistan
A soldier shot by a sniper in Afghanistan 12 years ago has become the last casualty of Britain’s military intervention after dying of his injuries.
Stuart Collins was 19 when he was paralysed from the chest down after being shot. After returning home to Scotland, he had battled to learn to walk again but died from medical complications linked to his injuries 10 days ago.
He died as the world prepared to mark the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks that sparked the Afghanistan campaign. Britain’s military mission there cost 457 British lives before forces were withdrawn last month. More than 47,000 Afghan civilians died during the 20-year war.
Yesterday, Collins’ commanding officer, former Major General Charlie Herbert, said: “I directly attribute his death to the injuries he sustained in Afghanistan. It feels like Stuart is our final casualty of this campaign.
“As such, he will be particularly remembered as the final casualty at this awful time, as this campaign has come to an end. He was a typical young Scottish soldier who made the best of everything and will never be forgotten. His death should not go unnoticed.”