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Dead bomb disposal expert named | Dead bomb disposal expert named |
(30 minutes later) | |
A British bomb disposal expert killed by an explosion in southern Afghanistan has been named as Warrant Officer Class 2 David Markland, a father-of-two. | |
WO2 Markland, from 36 Engineer Regiment, part of the Counter-IED Task Force, died after the blast in the Nad Ali district, Helmand, on Monday. | WO2 Markland, from 36 Engineer Regiment, part of the Counter-IED Task Force, died after the blast in the Nad Ali district, Helmand, on Monday. |
The 36-year-old, originally of Euxton, Lancs, had been leading a team clearing routes of improvised explosive devices. | |
A total of 256 British personnel have died in Afghanistan since 2001. | A total of 256 British personnel have died in Afghanistan since 2001. |
It means more British service personnel have now died in the conflict than were killed during the 1982 Falklands War. | |
WO2 Markland had been in the Army for 20 years and was on his eighth operational tour, having previously served in Bosnia and Iraq. | |
He leaves wife, Corallee, and their two sons, Keelen, 10, and Logan, seven. | |
'Adored' | |
WO2 Markland's death came ahead of a major Nato-led offensive against the Taliban in Nad-e-Ali, called Operation Moshtarak. | |
In a statement, his family said: "Dave was a wonderful husband, father, son and brother. His family and friends all loved and adored him. | In a statement, his family said: "Dave was a wonderful husband, father, son and brother. His family and friends all loved and adored him. |
"Keelen and Logan will always remember how funny and playful Dad was. He was proud to be in the British army just like his dad. | "Keelen and Logan will always remember how funny and playful Dad was. He was proud to be in the British army just like his dad. |
"We are very proud of Dave's achievements in his Army career. His soldiers, friends and officers all respected his selflessness and admired his style of leadership." | "We are very proud of Dave's achievements in his Army career. His soldiers, friends and officers all respected his selflessness and admired his style of leadership." |
WO2 Markland, who deployed on his second tour of Afghanistan in October 2009, had been recently selected for the rare accolade of being made a Field Squadron Sergeant Major. | |
They would have followed him to the ends of the Earth, such was the respect and trust he inspired Lt Col Gareth Bex | |
Senior officers have paid tribute to his dedication. | |
Lt Col Gareth Bex, commanding officer of the Counter-IED Task Force, said WO2 Markland had been a "talismanic figure". | |
He said: "Warrant Officer Class 2 Markland was adored by his team. They would have followed him to the ends of the Earth, such was the respect and trust he inspired. | |
"Afghanistan is the most taxing of threat environments and in his five months he had met some incredible challenges head on and never once faltered." | |
He added: "To say he was impressive doesn't do justice to the man. He had an inspiring effect on all those that he met, a talismanic figure whose mere presence instilled confidence and self-belief in everyone." | |
Major Tim Gould, officer commanding the Joint Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group, said WO2 Markland had been a "veritable guiding light" to all those he served with. | |
Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth said he was "deeply saddened" to hear of his death and his thoughts were with his family. |