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Tributes to L/Cpl Richard Scanlon after Helmand death | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The family and friends of a "fun-loving" Welsh soldier killed on duty in Afghanistan have paid tribute to him. | The family and friends of a "fun-loving" Welsh soldier killed on duty in Afghanistan have paid tribute to him. |
L/Cpl Richard Scanlon, 31, from Rhymney, Caerphilly, was one of two soldiers who died on Thursday in Helmand Province. | L/Cpl Richard Scanlon, 31, from Rhymney, Caerphilly, was one of two soldiers who died on Thursday in Helmand Province. |
He and Lt David Boyce, of Hertfordshire, from the 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards died when their armoured vehicle struck a makeshift bomb. | He and Lt David Boyce, of Hertfordshire, from the 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards died when their armoured vehicle struck a makeshift bomb. |
"Richard was a great character," his family said in a statement. | "Richard was a great character," his family said in a statement. |
Both soldiers were serving with the Formation Reconnaissance Squadron on a patrol providing security in the Yakchal region of Nahr-e-Saraj, in Central Helmand, when the incident occurred, said the Ministry of Defence. | Both soldiers were serving with the Formation Reconnaissance Squadron on a patrol providing security in the Yakchal region of Nahr-e-Saraj, in Central Helmand, when the incident occurred, said the Ministry of Defence. |
Their deaths brought the total number of UK military personnel killed in operations in Afghanistan since 2001 to 388. | Their deaths brought the total number of UK military personnel killed in operations in Afghanistan since 2001 to 388. |
L/Cpl Scanlon, who joined the army in 1998, was deployed to Afghanistan on 18 October. | |
He joined the regiment in 1999 and served in Bosnia in 2001 and Iraq in 2003 and 2005. | He joined the regiment in 1999 and served in Bosnia in 2001 and Iraq in 2003 and 2005. |
'Enjoyed life' | 'Enjoyed life' |
Affectionately known as "Shag", L/Cpl Scanlon left the army in 2006 but rejoined in 2009 and was promoted to lance corporal in October last year. | Affectionately known as "Shag", L/Cpl Scanlon left the army in 2006 but rejoined in 2009 and was promoted to lance corporal in October last year. |
In a statement his mother Cherry, stepfather Robert, father Raymond and sisters Lisa and Emma said: "Richard was a fun-loving young man who enjoyed life to the full. | In a statement his mother Cherry, stepfather Robert, father Raymond and sisters Lisa and Emma said: "Richard was a fun-loving young man who enjoyed life to the full. |
"He had a great love for his family - always helping them out whenever he could when needed. | "He had a great love for his family - always helping them out whenever he could when needed. |
"Richard was a great character and he will be sorely missed by his family and all who knew him. There will never be anyone else like our Richard." | "Richard was a great character and he will be sorely missed by his family and all who knew him. There will never be anyone else like our Richard." |
Commanding officer Lt Col Jasper de Quincey Adams described L/Cpl Scanlon as "one of life's great characters" and an experienced soldier who was calm under pressure. | |
'Sorely missed' | 'Sorely missed' |
He said: "We will miss him terribly - barracks life will have lost some of its sheen - but our tragic loss is insignificant compared to that of his family; his mother, stepfather, father and sisters Lisa and Emma, all of whom he loved so much. | He said: "We will miss him terribly - barracks life will have lost some of its sheen - but our tragic loss is insignificant compared to that of his family; his mother, stepfather, father and sisters Lisa and Emma, all of whom he loved so much. |
"Lance Corporal Scanlon will never be forgotten and our memories of him will forever be cherished." | "Lance Corporal Scanlon will never be forgotten and our memories of him will forever be cherished." |
Major Paddy Bond, officer commanding B Squadron, 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards, said L/Cpl Scanlon constantly looked out for the welfare of his younger peers. | Major Paddy Bond, officer commanding B Squadron, 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards, said L/Cpl Scanlon constantly looked out for the welfare of his younger peers. |
"He will be sorely missed, yet his legacy endures in the character of the young soldiers he helped train," he said. | "He will be sorely missed, yet his legacy endures in the character of the young soldiers he helped train," he said. |
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