The guy from texas -does he think therefore that if someone believes that conflict in afghanistant is pointless they should go to a mosque? This childish connection between two disparate points serves no intelligent purpose, and certainly does not serve the interests of the UK, nor USA. The wars in both afghanistan and iraq are part of much wider struggles which have existed for centuries - whether under the guise of imperialism, communism, and now 'el quada'. Ever wondered why there are graves of British solidiers in Afghanistan and Iraq from the 19th Century ? Get real, and if you want an empire, fine but at least understand what you're sending people to die for. And yes, Capt Hicks is a very brave and courageous soldier, doing a job few of us could.

andy anderson, sussex, england

No surprises from Mr Davis, we are used to 'friendly fire' from our American counterparts. Lets not forget it was a US led 'invasion' into Afghanistan furthering their bloodlust post 9/11.

I am very proud of my country's armed forces - they are the best in the world. Sadly, 'Dunkirk Spirit' is fading from the history of this once Great Britain. I would challenge anyone to place the merits of the current conflict in the same light as the Falklands, El Alamein, The Somme, Normandy. Our troops know it and I pray the Eagle of Salamanca returns home with godspeed. Speed the plough!

Gary Sharpe, Southport, England

Trust not those who rule with cold eyed bluster and crossed fingers, they are not worthy of your thoughts.

Consider these. Men of Nepal, the Indies and South Seas.
Kelts, Saxons, Scots, Ulster, add a little blood of the Dane, French and Pole.
Men of the fen, dale, moor and mountain.
Men of steel,coal,wool and wheat.
Men of fish,pottery,lace and oil.


Men of outstanding courage, dignity and calm.
Men bound by one uniform and committed to serve their flag and Queen.
To these men we owe a huge debt.
Some have time as their eternal companion, but will never be forgotten.

No they must never be forgotten

Nigel Graham-Miller, Valencia, Spain

THe Angle Irons have lost a true soldier . A man with so much courage is not rare in Iraq and Afganistan these days.

Nigel Graham-Miller, Valencia, Spain

The fact is that that most of the british public have lost touch with reality.The Britain of today was not built on multi culturalism or multi faith, but on strong christian faith.Trying to be politically correct by encouraging other faiths will only result in more such events, carried out by the British themselves.

p joseph, N. Delhi, India

" Still, the Taleban and Al-Qaeda continue to suffer no such shortages, sadly, many of whom are trained and recruited on our own soil. "

How can you understand and say the above and then sate this is a "Vietnam." and that Capt. Hicks "lost his life in circumstances that disparage the responsibility of holding the Queen’s Commission as an officer in the British army", "We have become embroiled in a pointless conflict". You should have more pride in your military and country.

I prefer to think Capt. Hicks as well as all the other allied soldiers whom have lost their lives in recent years died in honor fighting a global movement that will inhibit global civilization down the road if left undealt with.

P. Speros, Boston, ma

Mr. Sharpe might as well start paying his zakat and going to prayers at the local mosque if he truly believes what he says. It should come as no surprise that the nation that brought the world Neville Chamberlain continues to produce such spineless wonders as Sharpe. And yet wonderful it is that she also produces heroes like Captain Hicks who saw his duty and did it.
As your own bard said it so well, "the valiant never taste of death but once."

Jonathan Davis, San Angelo, Texas

Capt Hicks was a man amongst men, he was motivated to extreme bravery and unselfishness by men of the same ilk.
The fact that he was so compelled to return to his men, despite being mortally wounded, speaks volumes for the men that they are. I am immensely proud of all of them.
Look at those Anglians! Take care.

Kevin, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk

Having had the privilege to work with many fine officers like Cpt. Hicks; this tragic loss saddens as yet another nail in an arbitrary coffin of our very own Vietnam. Morale, both at the frontline and back home is at an all time low. We have become embroiled in a pointless conflict that our armed forces have no motivation for, or ownership of. My sympathies are with the families and friends of Cpt. Hicks at this time. I wish that it could be said that his death was not in vain. However, Capt. Hicks, a brave and exemplary soldier, lost his life in circumstances that disparage the responsibility of holding the Queen’s Commission as an officer in the British army. It is footnote now to our daily news that yet another precious life has been lost to further a futile conflict. It is no wonder that recruitment numbers are down and resources are over stretched. Still, the Taleban and Al-Qaeda continue to suffer no such shortages, sadly, many of whom are trained and recruited on our own soil.

Gary Sharpe, Southport, England