Sergeant Barry Weston was fatally injured by an improvised explosive device while leading a patrol operating near the village of Sukmanda in southern Nahr-e Saraj district Helmand province. The patrol was participating in an operation to draw insurgents away from the civilian population in order to disrupt their activity and further expand the influence of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. 

 

Barry Weston joined the Royal Marines on 30 September 1991 where he impressed from the outset as one of the fittest members of his Recruit Troop. Upon successfully completing six months of arduous training, Sergeant Weston was passed fit for duty on 22 May 1992 and joined Mike Company, 42 Commando Royal Marines. He went on to enjoy a varied career which saw him serve in many operational theatres including Northern Ireland, Kosovo, Sierra Leone and Iraq. He distinguished himself as a Reconnaissance Operator, Platoon Weapons Instructor and Recruit Troop Sergeant, amongst many other talents. Sergeant Weston joined Kilo Company, 42 Commando, in May 2011 as part of the 1st Battalion The Rifles Battle Group, Combined Force Nahr-e Saraj.

[Source: MOD]