The Heavy Toll: Britain's Wounded Warriors In Afghanistan

Since the start of operations in Afghanistan in 2001, there have been 457 British armed forces personnel fatalities. The number of fatalities peaked during 2009 and 2010, when over 100 personnel were killed. Of the total 457 personnel who died while on deployment to Afghanistan, 405 died because of hostile action.

During Operation Herrick, the codename for all British military operations conducted from 2002 to 2014, there were 616 serious or very serious casualties among armed forces and civilian personnel. As with deaths, these casualties peaked in 2009 and 2010.

There were a total of 7,807 field hospital admissions, although most admissions were related to disease or a non-battle injury. Around 28% (2,209) of admissions to field hospitals were those wounded in action.

UK military and civilian personnel wounded in action: 2,116

Between 1 January 2006 and 31 March 2013, 2,116 UK military and civilian personnel were admitted to UK field hospitals and categorised as Wounded in Action. This figure includes those wounded as a result of hostile action.

The UK's military role in Afghanistan began in the wake of 9/11. The UK's 20-year mission in Afghanistan is drawing to a close, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirming the majority of UK personnel have now withdrawn from Afghanistan.

The UK officially ended its combat role in 2014, but troops remained in the country in non-combat capacities, on Operation Toral, as part of NATO's Resolute Support Mission.

The UK's involvement in Afghanistan has been costly. For the period 7 October 2001 to 31 December 2005, centrally available records show that six UK military personnel were categorised as Very Seriously Injured from all causes excluding disease, and four UK military personnel were categorised as Seriously Injured from all causes excluding disease.

The Defence Medical Services aspire to provide first-class treatment for all injured or ill Service personnel, aiming to restore them to full fitness or, where this is not possible, to the best state of health their condition permits.

UK military and civilian personnel admitted to field hospitals for disease or non-battle injuries: 4,529

Between 1 January 2006 and 31 March 2013, 4,529 UK military and civilian personnel were admitted to UK field hospitals for disease or non-battle injuries. This figure is part of a wider dataset that includes the following:

• 2,116 UK military and civilian personnel were admitted to UK field hospitals and categorised as Wounded in Action.
• 300 UK personnel were categorised as Very Seriously Injured from all causes excluding disease.
• 298 UK personnel were categorised as Seriously Injured from all causes excluding disease.
• 6,663 UK personnel were aeromedically evacuated from Afghanistan on medical grounds, for whatever reason.

These figures are part of a wider dataset that covers the period from 7 October 2001 to 31 December 2014. The UK's military role in Afghanistan began in the wake of 9/11 and has dominated front-page news for many years. The UK officially ended its combat role in 2014, but troops have since remained in the country in non-combat capacities.

UK personnel categorised as Very Seriously Injured from all causes excluding disease: 293

The UK's 20-year mission in Afghanistan has seen a total of 457 British forces personnel or MoD civilians die while serving in Afghanistan since the start of operations in October 2001. Of these, 405 were killed as a result of hostile action.

Between 1 January 2006 and 31 March 2013, 293 UK personnel were categorised as Very Seriously Injured from all causes excluding disease.

During Operation Herrick, the codename for all British military operations conducted from 2002 to 2014, there were 616 serious or very serious casualties among armed forces and civilian personnel. As with deaths, these casualties peaked in 2009 and 2010.

The UK's military role in the country began in the wake of 9/11. At the height of the Afghan war, NATO had more than 130,000 troops from 50 nations in Afghanistan. The UK had 9,500 personnel there.

UK personnel categorised as Seriously Injured from all causes excluding disease: 298

Between 1 January 2006 and 31 March 2013, 298 UK personnel were categorised as Seriously Injured from all causes excluding disease. This figure is part of a larger dataset that includes the following:

• 2,116 UK military and civilian personnel were admitted to UK field hospitals and categorised as Wounded in Action.
• 4,529 UK military and civilian personnel were admitted to UK field hospitals for disease or non-battle injuries.
• 293 UK personnel were categorised as Very Seriously Injured from all causes excluding disease.
• 6,663 UK personnel were aeromedically evacuated from Afghanistan on medical grounds, for whatever reason.

UK personnel aeromedically evacuated from Afghanistan on medical grounds: 6,663

Between 2006 and 2013, 6,663 UK personnel were aeromedically evacuated from Afghanistan on medical grounds. This figure includes evacuations for all causes, including disease and non-battle injuries.

From 2006 to 2013, 2,116 UK military and civilian personnel were admitted to UK field hospitals and categorised as Wounded in Action.

From 2006 to 2013, 4,529 UK military and civilian personnel were admitted to UK field hospitals for disease or non-battle injuries.

From 2006 to 2013, 293 UK personnel were categorised as Very Seriously Injured from all causes excluding disease.

From 2006 to 2013, 298 UK personnel were categorised as Seriously Injured from all causes excluding disease.

From 2001 to 2005, 6 UK military personnel were categorised as Very Seriously Injured from all causes excluding disease.

From 2001 to 2005, 4 UK military personnel were categorised as Seriously Injured from all causes excluding disease.

The UK's military role in Afghanistan began in 2001, in the wake of 9/11. The UK's 20-year mission in Afghanistan is drawing to a close, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirming the majority of UK personnel have now withdrawn from Afghanistan.

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