Tributes paid to Midland soldier

Jun 20 2008

TRIBUTES were paid today to the Midland soldier who died in Afghanistan.

Lance Corporal Richard Larkin, 39, was one of four soldiers killed when a roadside bomb tore through their vehicle in a planned operation east of Lashkar Gah in Helmand province on Tuesday.

One of the casualties was Corporal Sarah Bryant, of the Intelligence Corps, who became the first British woman to die on active service in Afghanistan in the explosion.

L/Cpl Larkin’s family praised a “beloved husband, father, son and brother whose tragic and untimely death will be deeply mourned by his family, friends and colleagues.”

“We request that the media leave us to grieve in peace and respect our privacy at this very difficult time.”

L/Cpl Larkin was from Cookley, near Kidderminster. The Territorial Army soldier was serving with 23 SAS Regiment.

He worked as a night-charge nurse at Evesham Community Hospital, Worcestershire NHS Primary Care Trust said. He joined in June 2004 as an emergency nurse practitioner and ran the Minor Injuries Unit and the rest of the hospital overnight.

Sue Baker, matron at Evesham Community Hospital, said: “We were all deeply saddened to hear of Richard’s death.

“He was a highly skilled and knowledgeable nurse who was dedicated to patient-centred care and supporting his colleagues.

“He will be fondly remembered for his professionalism, his style and wit.”

Defence Secretary Des Browne said today the deaths of the soldiers would not be in vain.

He said:“All four were immensely dedicated and professional service personnel and my sincere and deepest condolences go out to all of their family and loved ones.

“I cannot comprehend the pain they are going through.

“They have made the ultimate sacrifice, laying down their life alongside those of their comrades in pursuit of the aim of a peaceful and stable Afghanistan.

“We will ensure their losses were not in vain.”