Families and officers pay tribute to soldiers killed on same day

Published on Tuesday 9 March 2010 20:38

TRIBUTES have been paid to two British soldiers killed on the same day in Afghanistan.

• Corporal Stephen Thompson and Lance Corporal Tom Keogh. Pictures: PA

Corporal Stephen Thompson, 31, from 1st Battalion The Rifles, died as a result of an explosion near Sangin district centre, Helmand province.

Lance Corporal Tom Keogh, 24, from 4th Battalion The Rifles, was killed by a gunshot wound during a firefight in Sangin.

Both men died on Sunday, the MoD said yesterday.

Cpl Thompson, from Bovey Tracey, in Devon, leaves his mother, Carol, father, Peter, brother, Philip, sisters, Claire and Helen, and son, Ewan.

In a statement, his parents said: "We are so very proud of our son Stephen and all that he achieved. He lived life to the full and died doing the job he loved.

"He will be sorely missed by his mum and dad, brother and sisters, his son, Ewan, and all of those who had the pleasure of knowing him. Always in our hearts."

Lieutenant Colonel Nick Kitson, the Commanding Officer of 3 Rifles Battle Group, said that Cpl Thompson joined the unit about a month ago, having spent two years instructing recruits at Catterick after enlisting with the army in January 1997.

"Go-getting and committed, he embraced the challenge of operating in one of the most demanding environments, within this most demanding of operational theatres," said Lt-Col Kitson.

L-Cpl Keogh, from Paddington, London, originally joined the army in 2003 and served until 2008, including a tour in Iraq. He rejoined after a year's break in 2009.

He leaves behind his parents, Lawrence and Marion Keogh, and two brothers.

His parents said in a statement: "Tom was our eldest son and we all loved and admired him greatly. He loved the army life and lived his life to the full. He brought laughter and happiness to our home and all who knew him.

"Our family has been left devastated by Tom's tragic death, but not a day will pass without us remembering the happiness and pride he gave us. We love you Tom."

Lt-Col Rupert Jones, Commanding Officer, 4 Rifles, described L-Cpl Keogh as "one of the best".

There have now been a total of 272 British military fatalities in Afghanistan since the conflict began in 2001.