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Afghan blast soldier named by MoD MoD names soldier shot on patrol
(about 7 hours later)
A British soldier killed in an explosion in southern Afghanistan on Wednesday has been named. A British soldier who died after being shot while on foot patrol in southern Afghanistan on Thursday has been named.
Lance Corporal Richard Brandon, 24, from Kidderminster, died on Wednesday when his vehicle was hit by an improvised device in Helmand province. Pte Gavin Elliott, 19, of 2nd Battalion The Mercian Regiment, operating with The Light Dragoons Battle Group, was shot in Babaji district, Helmand.
The soldier, from the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, was operating with the Light Dragoons Battlegroup. Earlier, a soldier killed in an explosion in Helmand province on Wednesday was named by the Ministry of Defence as L/Cpl Richard Brandon, 24.
His death took the number of British service personnel killed in Afghanistan since operations began in 2001 to 211. A total of 212 UK service personnel have died in Afghanistan since 2001.
According to the Ministry of Defence, L/Cpl Brandon was the driver of a Samson armoured repair and recovery vehicle within the A Squadron Fitter Section of The Light Dragoons. A statement on the MoD website said Pte Elliott had been in "his familiar position as point man" on the patrol when he was shot and fatally wounded. He died on the way to hospital.
He was carrying out an "essential re-supply task" when he was hit. He died instantly. Pte Elliott, from Worksop, Derbyshire, had an older sister, Rebecca, and younger brother, Joshua.
L/Cpl Brandon leaves behind his parents, Anna and Geoff, fiancée Emma-Jayne Webster, daughter Kaitlin and step-sons Liam and Martyn. A family statement said: "For all those who knew Gavin, there will be a void that will never be filled.
"In our eyes, Gavin was a hero and the best son and soldier we could have ever wished for."
He never shied from danger and in the fiercest of battles you took comfort from knowing he was with you Lt Col Simon Banton
Lt Col Simon Banton said: "The austere conditions in which soldiers in Helmand live and work are enough to test the resolve of any man; to endure these conditions with the zest for life and good humour for which Gavin was known are testament to a great man and a great soldier."
The commanding officer of 2nd Battalion The Mercian Regiment continued: "He never shied from danger and in the fiercest of battles you took comfort from knowing he was with you, side-by-side, and sharing the danger."
Lt Col Gus Fair, commanding officer of The Light Dragoons Battle Group, said it was "less for the loss of this remarkable young soldier and his memory will never be forgotten".
Capt Johnny Paulin called Pte Elliott "without exception, the most professional private soldier that I have had the privilege to command in my six years of army service".
He added: "His enthusiasm proved infectious throughout the deployment.
"He was loved by all his comrades and his sense of humour and positive attitude made him a pleasure to work alongside."
'Wonderful father''Wonderful father'
L/Cpl Richard Brandon, from the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, had also been operating with the Light Dragoons Battle Group when he was killed.
Lance Corporal Richard Brandon joined the Army in 2001
As driver of an armoured recovery vehicle in the A Squadron Fitter Section of The Light Dragoons, he was carrying out an "essential re-supply task" when his vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb. He died instantly.
L/Cpl Brandon, of Kidderminster, Worcestershire, leaves behind his parents, Anna and Geoff, fiancee Emma-Jayne Webster, daughter Kaitlin and step-sons Liam and Martyn.
In tribute, Ms Webster said he had been "one in a million".In tribute, Ms Webster said he had been "one in a million".
His tragic and untimely death will have a profound effect on all who had the privilege to know and work alongside him Lt Col Gus Fair "Richie was a wonderful fiance and father/step-father to Martyn, Liam and our daughter Kaitlin. We couldn't have asked for more.
"Richie was a wonderful fiancé and father/step-father to Martyn, Liam and our daughter Kaitlin. We couldn't have asked for more.
"He will be very sadly missed by all that knew him. He loved his job. I feel privileged to have spent four-and-a half-years of my life with him. He was one in a million.""He will be very sadly missed by all that knew him. He loved his job. I feel privileged to have spent four-and-a half-years of my life with him. He was one in a million."
Lt Col Gus Fair, commanding officer of The Light Dragoons, said through a tough and demanding period of fighting, L/Cpl Brandon had "worked relentlessly to keep the troop's vehicles fully operational and battle worthy". Lt Col Fair said through a tough and demanding period of fighting, L/Cpl Brandon had "worked relentlessly to keep the troop's vehicles fully operational and battle worthy".
"His tragic and untimely death will have a profound effect on all who had the privilege to know and work alongside him," he said."His tragic and untimely death will have a profound effect on all who had the privilege to know and work alongside him," he said.
He was a quality vehicle mechanic who would just work and work until the job was done Cpl Rob Lord
"Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this very difficult time and we share deeply in their grief.""Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this very difficult time and we share deeply in their grief."
Every penny he earned was spent on his new family home Cpl Rob Lord
Cpl Rob Lord, a close friend, from the Light Dragoons' Light Aid Detachment, said: "First and foremost he was a devoted family man and everything he did was to make a better life for his family.Cpl Rob Lord, a close friend, from the Light Dragoons' Light Aid Detachment, said: "First and foremost he was a devoted family man and everything he did was to make a better life for his family.
"Every penny he earned was spent on his new family home and he was excited by every bit of work he did on it."Every penny he earned was spent on his new family home and he was excited by every bit of work he did on it.
"Richie was a quiet and reserved character but would always be there to help if anyone needed it."Richie was a quiet and reserved character but would always be there to help if anyone needed it.
"He was a quality vehicle mechanic who would just work and work until the job was done.""He was a quality vehicle mechanic who would just work and work until the job was done."