A BRITISH soldier killed as he left his patrol vehicle in southern Afghanistan was named by the Ministry of Defence today.
Corporal Barry Dempsey from The Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland, died yesterday after his unit was hit by an improvised explosive device.
The 29-year-old from Ayrshire was part of a joint British-Afghan unit patr
olling in the Gereshk region of Helmand province at the time of the blast.
Cpl Dempsey joined The Royal Highland Fusiliers in 1998 and spent most of his career as a medic in the Regimental Aid Post.
He was promoted to the rank of corporal last year.
Paying tribute to him, Lieutenant Colonel Nick Borton, commanding officer of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, said: "Always calm and professional, he was naturally suited to a medical career, and planned to continue progressing in this area.
"Barry was a stalwart of the Medical Centre; a hard worker, he always volunteered for any task, and was always at the centre of the team, motivating and encouraging the younger medics."
He added: "He was in Afghanistan to provide aid to his comrades, and served with bravery and dedication, doing what he was best at.
"A thorough professional and a loving family man, we have lost a great friend and fellow soldier."
Defence Secretary Des Browne said: "I was extremely saddened to hear of the death of Cpl Dempsey yesterday morning.
"He was a selfless and brave professional, putting himself in harm's way to provide the very best of medical care to his colleagues and Afghans alike.
"My thoughts are with his family, friends and members of his regiment at this very difficult time."
The full article contains 286 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
