Tribute to 'true hero' killed in Afghanistan
UK soldier killed in Afghanistan on Wednesday named as Sergeant Robert Loughran-Dickson
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By Darren Estwick. |  |
Friday, 20, Nov 2009 09:47
By Matthew Champion.
The family of the UK soldier killed in Afghanistan this week have led tributes to him after he was named by the Ministry of Defence.
Sergeant Robert Loughran-Dickson of the royal military police (RMP) died from gunshot wounds he sustained while on routine patrol in Nad-e-Ali district, Helmand province, on Wednesday.
The 33-year-old, from Deal, Kent, had been in the RMP since 2001 after first joining the Royal, Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.
Known to his friends as Rob or L-D, Sergeant Loughran-Dickson leaves behind a 17-year-old son, also called Robert.
Paying tribute, the Dickson family described the sergeant, the 235th UK military fatality in Afghanistan, as a "true hero".
"He gave the ultimate sacrifice doing what he loved and was devoted to," a statement said.
"A beloved father, son, brother and uncle. You lit up our lives and that light will stay bright forever. You will be greatly missed but always loved by all."
His commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Debbie Poneskis described Sergeant Loughran-Dickson as an "exceptional soldier".
"He was totally professional, easy company and was the first to volunteer for anything - whether it was helping his colleagues, attending community events out of hours or taking on additional tasks. I had absolute faith in sergeant Loughran-Dickson: he was utterly reliable, wise beyond his years and he simply got on with the job, quietly and without fuss.
"He was an extremely proud father, and his son Robert is a credit to him."