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Soldiers died stopping suicide bomb attack at busy market
Paul Waugh, Deputy Political Editor17 Dec 2009
Two British soldiers died trying to stop Taliban suicide bombers from blowing up a packed marketplace, their commanding officer revealed today.
Lance Corporal David Kirkness, 24, and Rifleman James Brown, 18, both of 3rd Battalion The Rifles, were killed in Afghanistan while manning a checkpoint near Sangin, Helmand province. Two Afghan soldiers were also killed in the suicide attack on Tuesday.
But the true scale of their heroism emerged today as senior commanders paid tribute to their "sacrifice".
Lt-Col Nick Kitson, commanding officer of 3 Rifles Battle Group, said their comrades took comfort and pride from the fact that they averted a "much larger tragedy".
He said: "Their sacrifice prevented two suicide bombers from reaching their intended target, the bustling and ever more prosperous Sangin bazaar, packed with local Afghans."
L-Cpl Kirkness, from Wakefield, West Yorkshire, and Rfn Brown, from Farnborough, Hampshire, were taking part in a joint security operation with Afghan forces on a route into Sangin. Their deaths brought to 102 the number of British military killed in Afghanistan this year.
L-Cpl Kirkness's colleagues paid tribute to a professional and level-headed soldier with a "massive heart which was all too often worn on his sleeve".
He leaves a three-year-old daughter, Brooke. His parents said in a statement: "If you knew David, you had to love him - it was impossible not to."
Rifleman Brown joined the Army only this year, and had arrived with B Company of 3 Rifles less than a fortnight ago. Major James Richardson, the officer commanding B Company, said: "His loss weighs heavily because of the unrealised potential."
His family said in a statement: "You died a hero living your dream."
Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth, who said he was extremely saddened by the deaths, announced today that bereaved military families will get free independent legal advice during inquests. The Royal British Legion will offer the service under a two-year programme.
Reader views (1)
Too young - what a tragedy... I feel so sorry for their families, particularly at this time of year
- Bj, sydney Australia, 18/12/2009 08:29
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