'Inspired leader' killed in blast

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Major Sean Birchall, 33, of 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, died in an explosion while on patrol near Lashkar Gah in central Helmand province on Friday morning, the Ministry of Defence said.

His wife Joanna said he was a "wonderful husband" and "devoted father" to 18-month-old son Charlie.

Maj Birchall's death takes the number of British service personnel who have died in Afghanistan since the start of operations in October 2001 to 169.

The fatal explosion, which happened as the officer led a patrol of three armoured vehicles between checkpoints in Basharan, injured another soldier.

South African-born Maj Birchall - who would have turned 34 on Tuesday - moved back to the UK as a baby and grew up in Guildford, Surrey.

He commanded IX Company of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, which was working with Afghan security forces to protect and help the people of Basharan following an operation led by Maj Birchall to drive the Taliban out of the village.

Educated at St Peter's Catholic Comprehensive School, Guildford, and Plymouth University, he attended the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 1999.

His wife Joanna said: "Sean was a wonderful husband, a doting father and a much-loved son and brother, who cared deeply for his family and friends.

"It is the excellence he achieved in every facet of his life that defined Sean."