Two soldiers killed in Afghanistan on same day named

508PM GMT 09 March 2010

(L) Cpl Stephen Thompson and (R) L/Cpl Tom Keogh Photo MoD

Cpl Thompson, 31, from 1st Battalion The Rifles, died as a outcome of an blast nearby Sangin district centre, Helmand province.

L/Cpl Keogh, 24, from 4th Battalion The Rifles, was killed by a gunshot wound during a firefight in Sangin.

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Both men died on Sunday, the Ministry of Defence said.

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 relatives pronounced "We are so really unapproachable of the son Stephen and all that he achieved. He lived hold up to the full and died you do the pursuit he loved.

"He will be sorely longed for by his silent and dad, hermit and sisters, his son, Ewan, and all of those who had the wish of meaningful him. Always in the hearts."

Lt Col Nick Kitson, Commanding Officer 3 Rifles Battle Group, pronounced Cpl Thompson assimilated the territory about a month ago, carrying outlayed dual years instructing recruits at Catterick after enlisting with the Army in Jan 1997.

"Go-getting and committed, he embraced the plea of handling in one of the majority perfectionist environments, inside of this majority perfectionist of operational theatres," pronounced Lt Col Kitson.

"Dedicated to his job, his usually thoughts were for the efficacy of his group in bringing a improved destiny for the oppressed people of Sangin."

Second Lieutenant Peter Cay, 2 Platoon Commander, pronounced "From the initial time I met him, Tommo came opposite as a rarely veteran infantryman who was dedicated to his job."

Major Tim Harris, Officer Commanding A Company 3 Rifles, described him as a "leader of men".

"In my exchange with him I recognized the qualities that symbol out an superb infantryman and personality of men - he was courageous, intelligent, merciful and fiercely loyal," pronounced Maj Harris.

"It is a symbol of the man"s abilities that in usually 4 weeks he had made his new territory in to a well encouraged and offset fighting unit."

L/Cpl Keogh, from Paddington, London, creatively assimilated the Army in 2003 and served until 2008, together with a debate in Iraq. He rejoined after a year"s mangle in 2009.

He leaves at the back of his parents, Lawrence and Marion Keogh, and dual brothers.

His relatives pronounced in a matter "Tom was the eldest son and we all desired and dignified him greatly. He desired the Army hold up and lived his hold up to the full. He brought delight and complacency to the home and all who knew him.

"Our family has been left ravaged by Tom"s comfortless death, but not a day will pass but us remembering the complacency and honour he gave us. We love you Tom."

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

"It is infrequently tantalizing to get carried afar in extolling the virtues of the fallen, but with Lance Corporal Tom Keogh there is no risk of flapping towards exaggeration," he said.

"He was utterly simply one of the really most appropriate soldiers in the corps and proves nonetheless again the unhappy proverb that it is the most appropriate that die young."

Major Richard Streatfeild, Officer Commanding, A Company, 4 Rifles, pronounced "He came with a clever reputation. When we chatted on his attainment he told me that he had rejoined the Army for this debate - to infantryman in Afghanistan, to infer himself. He has finished all of that in the short time he has been here."

Captain Tom Cairncross, Adjutant, 4 Rifles, combined "It is the irony of this dispute that the most appropriate regularly appear to tumble first, and Lance Corporal Keogh was the best. He stood out in an unusual platoon."

There have right away been a sum of 272 British troops fatalities in Afghanistan given the dispute began in 2001.