Family pay tribute to Scots soldier killed by grenade

A SCOTTISH soldier killed by a rocket-propelled grenade in southern Afghanistan was described by his family as a man who "lived life to the full".

Lance Corporal Joseph Pool, 26, from the Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland, died in an explosion in the Nad-e Ali District of Helmand at the weekend.

In a statement released last night, his family said: "Joseph lived life to the full and was proud of everything he achieved in the army, always putting others first and doing the best he could at all he did … RIP son, we will always love you."

His fiancee Lynsey added: "Joe was a loving fiance and wonderful dad of two boys aged seven and two. He was much loved and he will be missed by all his family and friends."

L-Cpl Pool, from Greenock, enlisted in the Army in August 2003. After completing the Combat Infantryman's course at Catterick he joined 1st Battalion The King's Own Scottish Borderers before the formation of The Royal Regiment of Scotland in March 2006.

He previously completed operational tours in Northern Ireland and Iraq, before serving in Afghanistan.

Lieutenant Colonel Charlie Herbert, commanding officer of the Royal Scots Borderers, said L-Cpl Pool was "fit and tough as a butcher's dog" and had recently qualified as a physical training instructor and an anti-tank detachment commander.

He added: "I take some small comfort from the knowledge that he died doing a job that he loved and that he was so very good at. He died a soldier's death, in close combat, bravely and tenaciously taking the fight to the insurgents, and in doing so helping to protect the people of Afghanistan from a barbaric enemy.

"Like so many young soldiers of his generation, he had an irrepressible sense of adventure, and a talent for this unique profession of ours."