Pair killed by rogue Afghan were ‘devoted family men’

Sergeant Luke Taylor, 33, of the Royal Marines, and Lance Corporal Michael Foley, 25, of the Adjutant General’s Corps, were killed at the base in Lashkar Gah on Monday.

Defence Secretary Philip Hammond led tributes to the “true and devoted family men”, saying they “died in the service of their country”

The shooting was the latest in a string of “green on blue” attacks in which members of the Afghan security forces open fire on allies.

The Afghan soldier killed the British men at the main entrance to the base in Helmand’s capital before being shot dead himself.

Sgt Taylor, from Bournemouth, Dorset, leaves behind his wife Nicola and their son Roan, while L/Cpl Foley, from Burnley, Lancashire, leaves his wife Sophie and three sons Calum, Warren and Jake.

It is understood that Sgt Taylor worked in intelligence. He had only arrived in Afghanistan four weeks before his death.

The Royal Marine’s commanding officer described him as “a natural leader with inspirational flair who was devoted to his family”.

L/Cpl Foley deployed to Afghanistan in September last year to provide administrative support to the British military headquarters.