Welsh Guardsman killed in Afghanistan named

Lance Corporal Davies was described as an 'exemplary member' of the Welsh Guards Credit: Ministry of Defence

A Welsh guard killed in Afghanistan on Saturday has been named as 27-year-old Lance Corporal Lee Thomas Davies from Carmarthen.

Lance Corporal Davies from the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards died along with Royal Air Force airman Corporal Brent John McCarthy in Helmand province.

The Ministry of Defence says the two were killed by small arms fire while deployed as part of a Police Advisory Team in the Lashkar Gah district.

They were providing security for a meeting with local officials near the patrol base Attal when two people wearing Afghan police uniforms opened fire.

It brings the number of UK military deaths in Afghanistan to 414.

Lance Corporal Davies was deployed to Afghanistan in March as part of a Police Advisory Team within the Police Mentoring and Advisory Group.

His commanding officer says he was a gifted member of the Welsh Guards, who in less than two years had been promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal.

His colleagues describe him as both popular and respected; a 'live-wire' who had a passion for sport and enjoyed nothing more than a night on the town during his time off.