Soldier killed in gun battle in Afghanistan is named

A BRITISH serviceman killed in Afghanistan was named last night as Lance Corporal Jordan Dean Bancroft, from the 1st Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment.

Lance Cpl Bancroft, 25, from Burnley, was shot dead in a gun battle in southern Nad-e Ali, Helmand, on Saturday, a Ministry of Defence spokesman said.

He joined the Army in September 2001, and served twice in Iraq before his posting to Afghanistan. The spokesman said: "He was a highly professional and capable Junior Non-Commissioned Officer - one who relished life in the Army.

"He had an absolute dedication to the regiment, to the battalion, to his company and to the men he served with. However, more importantly he will be long remembered for his love for his family and girlfriend - they held a special place in his life and were his first love."

His family said: "We will always remember Jordan loving a challenge, in particular outdoor pursuits. He was a keen snow skier and often skied for the regiment. He loved all watersports and took any opportunity to ride a jet ski or drive a speed boat.

"We will miss Jordan so much and it will leave a huge hole in all our lives."

The British death toll in the Afghan campaign since 2001 now stands at 332.