Tributes to British 'bear of a man' killed clearing bombs

A British Army bomb disposal expert killed in southern Afghanistan has been hailed as a "talismanic figure".

Warrant Officer Class 2 David Markland, 36, of 36 Engineer Regiment, died as he led a team clearing routes of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Nad-e-Ali in Helmand Province on Monday.

His death came ahead of a major joint British, US and Afghan offensive against the Taliban in Nad-e-Ali called Operation Moshtarak.

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WO2 Markland, a married father of two originally from Euxton,

Lancashire, had been in the Army for 20 years and was on his eighth operational tour.

The number of British troops who have died in the Afghan conflict since 2001 now stands at 256, one more than the total death toll in the 1982 Falklands War.

WO2 Markland leaves behind his wife, Corallee, and their two sons, Keelen, 10, and Logan, seven. His family said in a statement: "Dave was a wonderful husband, father, son and brother. His family and friends all loved and adored him.

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"Keelen and Logan will always remember how funny and playful Dad was. He was proud to be in the British Army just like his dad.

"He will be sadly missed and leaves behind a family who he loved and loves him very, very much. We are all very proud of our hero."

Lieutenant Colonel Gareth Bex, commanding officer of the Counter-IED Task Force, described him as a "bear of a man".

He said: "Warrant Officer Class 2 Markland was adored by his team. They would have followed him to the ends of the Earth, such was the respect and trust he inspired. To say he was impressive doesn't do justice to the man.

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"He had an inspiring effect on all those that he met, a talismanic figure whose mere presence instilled confidence and self-belief in everyone."

WO2 Markland's death came the day after Corporal John Moore, 22, and Private Sean McDonald, 26, both from the Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, were killed by an IED while on patrol in Sangin in Helmand.