Tributes for latest victims of Afghan war

Published on Sunday 14 June 2009 21:59

AN OFFICER killed in action during an operation in southern Afghanistan was a "wonderful, loving son", his family said yesterday.

Lieutenant Paul Mervis, 27 and from London – who was a platoon commander with 2nd Battalion The Rifles – died on Friday from a blast near Sangin in northern Helmand Province.

A statement from his family said: "Paul was a wonderful, loving son, brother and friend – generous and thoughtful, with an infectious sense of fun. He was passionately committed to his men – far beyond mere duty."

His death took the number of British service personnel who have died in Afghanistan since the start of operations in October 2001 to 168.

Lt Mervis was caught in a blast from an improvised explosive device (IED) while on foot patrol on Friday morning. The incident came just a day after a Scottish soldier, from The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, was killed.

Private Robert McLaren, from Kintra, by Fionnphort on the Isle of Mull, died after an IED strike while on operation near Kandahar.

The 20-year-old was fresh out of infantry recruit training and had only been in active service with the regiment for four weeks.

Comrades described how the "fearless" soldier was killed in action when – pinned down by rifle fire and with rockets exploding around him – he thrust forward to help them.

Lieutenant Robert Colqu-houn, Officer Commanding 2 Platoon, said: "No soldier has impressed me so much in such a short amount of time.

"Always pushing himself forward to get a new angle to defeat the enemy and support his friends, he acquitted himself throughout his short time with 2 Platoon with bravery and skill. His final action exemplified this."