'Friendly fire' probe into Afghanistan soldier's death

Kingsman Sean Dawson, 19, from 2nd Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, died in the Musa Qala area of Helmand Province on Sunday evening.

The teenage soldier was remembered yesterday as "an English fighter extraordinaire".

His family has been made aware of the investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death. Kingsman Dawson, from Stalybridge, Manchester, was deployed to Afghanistan on January 16 after passing a course to become a sniper.

He was killed while taking part in an ambush of suspected militants near Patrol Base Minden in the north of Helmand.

The incident was not connected to the ongoing Operation Moshtarak to drive the Taliban out of a stronghold around Marjah and Nad-e-Ali in Helmand.

In a statement, the Ministry of Defence said: "Early indications suggest that his death was possibly caused as a result of 'friendly fire'." The MoD said no further comment would be made ahead of an inquest.

The young soldier leaves his parents, Sean and Karen, brothers Jack and James, sisters Anna, Danielle and Summer, and his girlfriend, Sadie.

Another British soldier, killed in an explosion in Afghanistan, was named last night by the Ministry of Defence.

Sapper Guy Mellors, 20, from Coventry, a bomb disposal expert from 36 Engineer Regiment, died on Monday.

Kingsman Dawson's father said his son wanted to join the Army from the age of six and loved everything about military life.

Mr Dawson said: "He believed in everything he was doing in Afghanistan and even though he was apprehensive, he couldn't wait to get out there.

"He was a normal young man who enjoyed a pint with his mates and spending time with the younger members of the family. He was kind-hearted and thought about everyone before himself.

"I cannot put into words the hole he is going to leave behind in the lives of everyone who knew him. His immediate family and girlfriend Sadie loved him dearly and he will always be in our hearts."

Lieutenant Colonel Robbie Boyd, commanding officer of 2 Lancs, known as the "Lions of England", said he had lost one of his most promising young fighters. The commanding officer awarded him the prize for "most courageous fighter" after he won his battalion's boxing championships in his weight category in November.