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Funeral for Welsh soldier L/Cpl Richard Scanlon killed in Afghanistan | Funeral for Welsh soldier L/Cpl Richard Scanlon killed in Afghanistan |
(about 6 hours later) | |
The funeral has taken place of a Welsh soldier killed in a roadside explosion in Afghanistan. | |
L/Cpl Richard Scanlon, 31, from Rhymney, Caerphilly, died alongside another member of the 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards in November. | L/Cpl Richard Scanlon, 31, from Rhymney, Caerphilly, died alongside another member of the 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards in November. |
He and Lt David Boyce, from Hertfordshire, were on patrol in the Nahr-e Saraj area of Helmand Province when their vehicle was hit. | He and Lt David Boyce, from Hertfordshire, were on patrol in the Nahr-e Saraj area of Helmand Province when their vehicle was hit. |
L/Cpl Scanlon's family said they were "extremely proud" of the soldier. | L/Cpl Scanlon's family said they were "extremely proud" of the soldier. |
The funeral service at Penuel Baptist Church in Rhymney was led by Father Mark Owen and Lt Col Steven Griffith, padre at 160 (Wales) Brigade. | |
L/Cpl Scanlon was then buried at Rhymney cemetery. | |
In a statement, his family said: "Richard was a remarkable individual and unique in the truest sense of the word," said family members in an extended tribute to the soldier. | |
'Great comfort' | 'Great comfort' |
"He lived his life to the full, loved to socialise and enjoyed a drink. | "He lived his life to the full, loved to socialise and enjoyed a drink. |
"His family are extremely proud of him and of the good work he carried out. | "His family are extremely proud of him and of the good work he carried out. |
"They will miss him terribly but take great comfort in the fact he was loved and respected by all who met him - especially family, friends and colleagues. | "They will miss him terribly but take great comfort in the fact he was loved and respected by all who met him - especially family, friends and colleagues. |
"He will remain in their hearts as his memory lives on." | "He will remain in their hearts as his memory lives on." |
L/Cpl Scanlon had previously served in Bosnia and twice in Iraq. | L/Cpl Scanlon had previously served in Bosnia and twice in Iraq. |
'Infectious smile' | 'Infectious smile' |
He enlisted in the army in 1998 and joined the regiment in 1999. He was deployed in Afghanistan on 18 October. | He enlisted in the army in 1998 and joined the regiment in 1999. He was deployed in Afghanistan on 18 October. |
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. |
The army paid its own tribute to him, describing him as a "genuine regimental character". | The army paid its own tribute to him, describing him as a "genuine regimental character". |
Lt Col Jasper de Quincey Adams, Commanding Officer, 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards, said: "L/Cpl Richard Scanlon was one of life's great characters, always with an infectious smile and a tangible love of life. | Lt Col Jasper de Quincey Adams, Commanding Officer, 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards, said: "L/Cpl Richard Scanlon was one of life's great characters, always with an infectious smile and a tangible love of life. |
"An experienced soldier, calm under pressure, he was hand picked as the troop leader's gunner on a demanding operational tour. | "An experienced soldier, calm under pressure, he was hand picked as the troop leader's gunner on a demanding operational tour. |
"He was a fighting soldier, cracking in the field or on operations, and in camp, his flamboyant character meant he could find fun in any situation. | "He was a fighting soldier, cracking in the field or on operations, and in camp, his flamboyant character meant he could find fun in any situation. |
"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." | "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." |
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