Two more British soldiers die as third blast victim mourned

One soldier from 21 Engineer Regiment was killed in a blast and another in a traffic accident, the Ministry of Defence said. Next of kin have been informed.

The soldier who died on sunday in a blast in Sangin, Helmand Province, was named as Corporal Harvey Alex Holmes, 22, from Hyde, Greater Manchester. Cpl Holmes, of 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment, was providing protection for his patrol when he was killed by an improvised explosive device.

His family released a statement which read: "Harvey lived for his family and his friends but his passion was the Army.

"He has made his family extremely proud for the sacrifice he has made and will be missed every day. Harvey has died a true hero and will be with us forever in our hearts."

His death, the first since April 7, took the number of British service personnel who have died in Afghanistan since 2001 to 282.

Major Mark Ellwood, Officer Commanding A Company, 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Cheshire), said he was the "very epitome of professionalism".

"Whilst serving in the Falkland Islands, he was able to visit Mount Longdon where his late father had served with the Parachute Regiment during the 1982 conflict. This was an emotional experience as his father was a huge inspiration to him."