This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/merseyside/8175160.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Blast death soldier 'loved Army' Blast death soldier 'loved Army'
(about 3 hours later)
A British soldier who was killed in an explosion in Afghanistan had been desperate to join the Army since the age of 16, his mother has said.A British soldier who was killed in an explosion in Afghanistan had been desperate to join the Army since the age of 16, his mother has said.
Trooper Philip Lawrence, of Birkenhead, was hit by a blast while driving an armoured vehicle in Helmand.Trooper Philip Lawrence, of Birkenhead, was hit by a blast while driving an armoured vehicle in Helmand.
The 22-year-old, of the Norfolk-based Light Dragoons, leaves a wife, Amy, and baby daughter Jessica.The 22-year-old, of the Norfolk-based Light Dragoons, leaves a wife, Amy, and baby daughter Jessica.
His mother Gaynor Lawrence released a statement on Wednesday paying tribute to her "best mate".His mother Gaynor Lawrence released a statement on Wednesday paying tribute to her "best mate".
The former Ridgeway High School pupil leaves a wife, Amy, and baby daughter Jessica. He also had four brothers.The former Ridgeway High School pupil leaves a wife, Amy, and baby daughter Jessica. He also had four brothers.
"He was a loving, caring person who made friends wherever he went. He was also a great practical joker and didn't take life very seriously," said Mrs Lawrence."He was a loving, caring person who made friends wherever he went. He was also a great practical joker and didn't take life very seriously," said Mrs Lawrence.
He stepped up to the mark and I am incredibly proud of him for doing that Gaynor Lawrence, motherHe stepped up to the mark and I am incredibly proud of him for doing that Gaynor Lawrence, mother
The 42-year-old, also from Birkenhead, revealed that her son had visited the town's Army careers office when he was 16.The 42-year-old, also from Birkenhead, revealed that her son had visited the town's Army careers office when he was 16.
She added: "They said he would make a fantastic soldier, but to come back when he was 18 and more 'streetwise'.She added: "They said he would make a fantastic soldier, but to come back when he was 18 and more 'streetwise'.
"On his 18th birthday, he went back into the office, wearing a big 18 badge, and told them he'd come back to sign up. He never looked back and loved being in the Army.""On his 18th birthday, he went back into the office, wearing a big 18 badge, and told them he'd come back to sign up. He never looked back and loved being in the Army."
"He stepped up to the mark and I am incredibly proud of him for doing that."He stepped up to the mark and I am incredibly proud of him for doing that.
"When he came home from Afghanistan after his first tour, I put a big banner up saying 'welcome home mummy's little soldier'. He wasn't embarrassed by that. He loved it.""When he came home from Afghanistan after his first tour, I put a big banner up saying 'welcome home mummy's little soldier'. He wasn't embarrassed by that. He loved it."
Panther clawPanther claw
Mrs Lawrence said although it was hard to come to terms with his death, his family had taken "great comfort" from messages of support they had received.Mrs Lawrence said although it was hard to come to terms with his death, his family had taken "great comfort" from messages of support they had received.
Trooper Lawrence was killed during a blast while driving the vehicle in Lashkar Gah district, Helmand, on 27 July.Trooper Lawrence was killed during a blast while driving the vehicle in Lashkar Gah district, Helmand, on 27 July.
He had been helping ensure the security of an area which had been cleared as part of Operation Panther's Claw - an offensive against the Taliban.He had been helping ensure the security of an area which had been cleared as part of Operation Panther's Claw - an offensive against the Taliban.
The MoD said he was the first soldier to die in Operation Panther's Claw's second stage - which will focus on holding ground won from the Taliban in recent weeks.The MoD said he was the first soldier to die in Operation Panther's Claw's second stage - which will focus on holding ground won from the Taliban in recent weeks.
Advertisement
Trudy and Liam Lawrence, the aunt and brother of Trooper Philip Lawrence, of Birkenhead, who died in Afghanistan, pay tribute to him