Tragic soldier spoke of peace hopes

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The 29-year-old soldier, a member of the 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment, was killed while on routine foot patrol in Sangin, Helmand Province, on Thursday, taking the number of British Army personnel killed in Afghanistan to 117.

He was injured in a roadside bomb attack and despite receiving first aid, died at the scene.

The Ministry of Defence will release his name later having allowed his family time to inform friends and relatives.

Before his recent deployment to Helmand with the RIR, the soldier had spoken publicly about his desire to take on the Taliban and bring peace to the country.

"I would lying if I said I wasn't apprehensive at some level but I'm anxious to go at same time," he said in an interview.

"I think it's now about trying to restore order to Afghanistan and trying to make it into some sort of a country."

Lieutenant Colonel David Reynolds, spokesman for British Forces in Afghanistan, said: "This is a tragic loss and one that will be felt across the Task Force.

"Our thoughts and sympathies are with the friends and family at this most difficult time".