Troop killed in Afghanistan named

Acting Corporal Richard Robinson, 21, originally from Saltash, Cornwall, died in an ambush on Saturday.

He was killed while on a foot patrol during a joint operation between UK troops and the Afghan National Army against enemy forces north of Sangin in Helmand Province.

Cpl Robinson was the 142nd British military casualty in Afghanistan since operations began in October 2001, and the fifth so far this year.

Cpl Robinson's senior officers in 1st Battalion The Rifles paid tribute to a hard-working and professional soldier who was "mature beyond his years". He is survived by his father Kenneth, mother Janet, sister Sophie and brother Matthew, who is serving in the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards.

Cpl Robinson, who was known as "Robbo", joined the Army in December 2003, when he was 16. After completing his training, he served in Iraq as a Private from April to November 2006.

He joined E Company, 1 Rifles in April last year as a sniper, mentor and section second-in-command, and deployed to Afghanistan at the end of September.

Cpl Robinson received the rank of acting corporal for the tour in recognition of his extra responsibilities as a mentor to the Afghan National Army working in isolated and austere patrol bases.

Lieutenant Colonel Joe Cavanagh, commanding officer of 1 Rifles, said the soldier's death had brought "great sorrow" for his family and many friends.

He went on: "He was a popular, talented man and will be badly missed. Highly qualified and richly experienced for one of his vintage, he was credible and confident as an acting corporal and was already showing potential well beyond that."