Wales

Funeral of Welsh soldier killed in blast

The funeral of a Welsh soldier killed in a roadside explosion in Afghanistan was held today.

Lance Corporal Richard Scanlon, from Rhymney, Caerphilly, died alongside another member of the 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards in November.

He and Lieutenant David Boyce, from Hertfordshire, were on patrol in the Nahr-e Saraj area of Helmand Province when their vehicle was hit.

The funeral service at Penuel Baptist Church in Rhymney was led by Father Mark Owen and Lieutenant Colonel Steven Griffith, padre at 160 (Wales) Brigade.

LCpl Scanlon's family said they were "extremely proud" of the soldier.

In a statement, his mother Cherry, stepfather Robert, father Raymond and sisters Lisa and Emma described the 31-year-old as a remarkable individual.

It read: "His family are extremely proud of him and of the good work he carried out.

"They will miss him terribly but take great comfort in the fact he was loved and respected by all who met him - especially family, friends and colleagues.

"He will remain in their hearts as his memory lives on."

LCpl Scanlon enlisted in the army in 1998 and joined the regiment in 1999. He had previously served in Bosnia and twice in Iraq and was deployed in Afghanistan on October 18.

The army paid its own tribute to him, describing him as a "genuine regimental character".

Lieutenant Colonel Jasper de Quincey Adams, Commanding Officer, 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards, said: "Richard Scanlon was one of life's great characters, always with an infectious smile and a tangible love of life.

"He was a fighting soldier, cracking in the field or on operations, and in camp, his flamboyant character meant he could find fun in any situation.

"We will miss him terribly. Barracks life will have lost some of its sheen, but our tragic loss is insignificant compared to that of his family: his mother, stepfather, father and sisters Lisa and Emma, all of whom he loved so much."

Following his funeral service, Mr Scanlon was buried at Rhymney cemetery.