Wirral soldier killed in Afghanistan - 29th Jul 2009 12:18pm
Tributes paid to second Wirral soldier killed in Afghanistan
TRIBUTES have been paid to a second Wirral soldier killed in Afghanistan.
Trooper Phillip Lawrence from The Light Dragoons died in an explosion on Monday whilst travelling in a scimitar armoured vehicle.
He was part of a patrol in Lashkar Gah district, Helmand province, helping ensure the security of an area earlier cleared as part of Operation Panchai Palang.
The father-of-one from Birkenhead had volunteered to step in to drive for another Troop to fill a temporary manning gap when his vehicle was hit by an explosion, mortally wounding him.
Tpr Lawrence's family paid the following tribute: "No words can ever explain the loss. He was our Knight in shining armour.
"Husband, dad, son, brother, grandson, son-in-law, brother-in-law, friend and in the early years The Man of The House a pleasure to be around.
"The Light has been turned off in our world but his memories will always live on in his precious daughter who he thought the world of.
"He lived for the army and died for his country. A Hero in everybody's world he will be missed by everyone always in our hearts you will never be forgotten. Rest in peace."
Born in March 1987, he enlisted in the army in July 2005.
After completing recruit training in January 2006 he conducted his Royal Armoured Corps training in Bovington before joining The Light Dragoons.
Joining C Squadron from the outset, he was deployed almost immediately on his first tour of Afghanistan in late 2006, where he quickly learnt his trade in the most demanding conditions. He was a talented, reliable and dedicated soldier.
Tpr Lawrence deployed to Afghanistan this year as part of Emsdorf Troop, a Fire Support Group attached to A Company 2 Mercian regiment.
For the first three months of the tour he had operated on foot and in Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance in Garmsir, before the battle group deployed to the Lashkar Gah district.
He was a devoted husband to his wife Amy, and doting father to their baby daughter Jessica.
Lieutenant Colonel Gus Fair, Commanding officer The Light Dragoons, said: "Tpr Lawrence was one of the characters that make a family Regiment such as The Light Dragoons so special.
"Lenny's generous nature, inability to bear a grudge and sheer enjoyment of day to day life endeared him to us all. Everyone counted him amongst their friends, and his loss will hit the Regiment especially hard.
"He soldiered with great heart, shown both in the boxing ring and on the battlefield.
"Utterly selfless, he was mortified if he ever made a mistake, and it was impossible not to forgive him immediately as you could see just how much he cared.
"Lenny was devoted to his family, and the pride he took in his wife and daughter shone from him. It fills me with enormous sadness that Jessica, his baby daughter, will not grow up to know her brilliant father, and our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Amy and his mother Gaynor as they grieve this tragic loss."
THE GLOBE
TRIBUTES have been paid to a second Wirral soldier killed in Afghanistan.
Trooper Phillip Lawrence from The Light Dragoons died in an explosion on Monday whilst travelling in a scimitar armoured vehicle.
He was part of a patrol in Lashkar Gah district, Helmand province, helping ensure the security of an area earlier cleared as part of Operation Panchai Palang.
The father-of-one from Birkenhead had volunteered to step in to drive for another Troop to fill a temporary manning gap when his vehicle was hit by an explosion, mortally wounding him.
Tpr Lawrence's family paid the following tribute: "No words can ever explain the loss. He was our Knight in shining armour.
"Husband, dad, son, brother, grandson, son-in-law, brother-in-law, friend and in the early years The Man of The House a pleasure to be around.
"The Light has been turned off in our world but his memories will always live on in his precious daughter who he thought the world of.
"He lived for the army and died for his country. A Hero in everybody's world he will be missed by everyone always in our hearts you will never be forgotten. Rest in peace."
Born in March 1987, he enlisted in the army in July 2005.
After completing recruit training in January 2006 he conducted his Royal Armoured Corps training in Bovington before joining The Light Dragoons.
Joining C Squadron from the outset, he was deployed almost immediately on his first tour of Afghanistan in late 2006, where he quickly learnt his trade in the most demanding conditions. He was a talented, reliable and dedicated soldier.
Tpr Lawrence deployed to Afghanistan this year as part of Emsdorf Troop, a Fire Support Group attached to A Company 2 Mercian regiment.
For the first three months of the tour he had operated on foot and in Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance in Garmsir, before the battle group deployed to the Lashkar Gah district.
He was a devoted husband to his wife Amy, and doting father to their baby daughter Jessica.
Lieutenant Colonel Gus Fair, Commanding officer The Light Dragoons, said: "Tpr Lawrence was one of the characters that make a family Regiment such as The Light Dragoons so special.
"Lenny's generous nature, inability to bear a grudge and sheer enjoyment of day to day life endeared him to us all. Everyone counted him amongst their friends, and his loss will hit the Regiment especially hard.
"He soldiered with great heart, shown both in the boxing ring and on the battlefield.
"Utterly selfless, he was mortified if he ever made a mistake, and it was impossible not to forgive him immediately as you could see just how much he cared.
"Lenny was devoted to his family, and the pride he took in his wife and daughter shone from him. It fills me with enormous sadness that Jessica, his baby daughter, will not grow up to know her brilliant father, and our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Amy and his mother Gaynor as they grieve this tragic loss."
THE GLOBE
Thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues he leaves behind.