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 30 August 2008 08:07 BST

Fallen UK soldier named by MoD

Tuesday, 22 Apr 2008 17:30
Trooper Robert Pearson was 22
The UK soldier killed in Afghanistan yesterday has been named by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) as Trooper Robert Pearson.

The 22-year-old died when the vehicle he was driving was hit by a mine as he escorted a convoy to Camp Bastion in volatile Helmand province.

Trooper Pearson, of the Queen's Royal Lancers regiment, was later pronounced dead at the base's field hospital.

A statement from the MoD revealed that the Grimsby-born soldier, who leaves behind his father Paul, stepmother Gillian and sisters Terrie, Alex and Alivia,
had been in Afghanistan for three months after joining his local regiment.

His commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Richard Nixon-Eckersall described the soldier as a "popular and well-respected" member of the regiment.

"Trooper Pearson took a keen and professional interest in his job as a formation reconnaissance soldier; his outgoing and confident manner giving a strong indication to his chain of command that he was a talent to watch," Lt Col Nixon-Eckersall.

"For those that might question whether or not today's soldiers are a match for their forebears he was ample proof that they are every bit as good and more. The lancers have lost a good soldier today but our loss, while great, is nothing compared to that felt by his family and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time."

Defence secretary Des Browne, commenting on the loss of the 94th UK soldier in Afghanistan since 2001, said: "Trooper Pearson was, by all accounts, a very promising young soldier who had a bright future ahead of him in the army.

"His loss is a tragedy and I was deeply saddened to hear of it. My thoughts are very much with his family, friends and comrades at what must be the most difficult of times for them."End of story


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