Death of Scots-based Marine takes military toll to 144 in Afghanistan conflict

Published on Saturday 14 February 2009 22:38

A SCOTS-based soldier was killed in Afghanistan yesterday after coming under fire from Taliban fighters.

The Royal Marine from 45 Commando in Arbroath, was patrolling in the northern Helmand province of the country when he was shot. He died as he was being flown to hospital. The attack occurred while troops from 45 Commando were supporting a bomb disposal team near Sangin.

He is the 144th British soldier to die in Afghanistan since operations began in 2001, and the seventh British serviceman to die this year. Britain has about 8,000 soldiers stationed in Afghanistan. A spokeswoman for Task Force Helmand said the loss of another soldier was "keenly felt".

The marine was based at the RM Condor garrison, the headquarters of 45 Commando where 700 of its members are stationed. His next of kin have been informed, but have asked that he is not be named publicly until later today.

Paula Rowe, of Task Force Helmand, which is working to reconstruct areas of Afghanistan ravaged by war, said: "We extend our heartfelt sympathy to his family, friends and colleagues."

He is the seventh soldier in three months to be lost from the Angus-based unit, which spearheaded the very first military operations in Afghanistan in 2002, and went out again in 2006 before the current tour of duty. Corporal Danny Winter, 28, of 45 Commando, was killed on January 14 during an operation against enemy forces north-east of Gereshk.

Marine Travis Mackin, 22, from Plymouth, died on January 11 after being hit by an insurgent improvised explosive device while on patrol in Kajaki in the Province. He was leading his team in a joint operation between Victor Company, 45 Commando Group Royal Marines, and Afghan troops to destroy a key Taliban command cell responsible for many attacks in the area.

Corporal Liam Elms was killed on Hogmanay. The 26-year-old from Wigan, who was engaged to be married, died in an explosion in Southern Helmand. Three further members of 45 Commando, Lance Corporal Steven Fellows, 26, Corporal Marc Birch, 26, and Sergeant John Manuel, 38, were killed by two separate explosions in December last year.

Their deaths also took place in the region of Sangin, where the latest marine was fatally injured, while the troops were on routine patrol. Last month, after the deaths of British troops were announced, Defence Secretary John Hutton delivered a scathing attack on Britain's European allies for failing to "step up to the plate" and deploy combat troops in Afghanistan.

He warned that Nato forces in the country lacked the troops to complete their mission.