As of 3 January 2012 there has been a total of 395 fatalities of British Forces personnel including MoD civilians. The vast majority of fatalities have taken place since the redeployment of British forces to the Taliban stronghold of Helmand province, as prior to deployment in this area only five men died between April 2002 and early March 2006.
In all, 351 of the fatalities are classed as killed "as a result of hostile action" and 44 are known to have died either as a result of illness, non-combat injuries or accidents, or have not yet officially been assigned a cause of death pending the outcome of an investigation. The Army has seen the heaviest losses, with 317 fatalities as of 3 January 2012. Typically those killed were aged between 20 and 29 and the biggest losses seen in 2009 and 2010. Of those killed, 392 were male and two were female.
In all, 351 of the fatalities are classed as killed "as a result of hostile action" and 44 are known to have died either as a result of illness, non-combat injuries or accidents, or have not yet officially been assigned a cause of death pending the outcome of an investigation. The Army has seen the heaviest losses, with 317 fatalities as of 3 January 2012. Typically those killed were aged between 20 and 29 and the biggest losses seen in 2009 and 2010. Of those killed, 392 were male and two were female.