Wales Afghanistan

The mother of Guardsman Jamie Shadrake, who died while serving in Afghanistan in 2012, has paid tribute to him at an inquest into his death.

Catherine Griffiths describes her son as a "dedicated soldier" and a "brilliant son".

Earlier today a coroner found that Guardsman Shadrake had been 'unlawfully killed while on active service'.

Coroner John Gittins ruled that Guardsman Jamie Shadrake was 'unlawfully killed whilst on active service'.

In a statement outside the inquest, his mother said: 'We believed in Jamie and in what he was doing in Afghanistan. We know his selfless sacrifice has helped the people of Afghanistan'

Guardsman Jamie Shadrake of the Reconnaissance Platoon, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards died when his checkpoint was attacked by insurgents in the Nahr-e Saraj District of Helmand Province in 2012.

An inquest into the death of Guardsman Jamie Shadrake, 20, has heard evidence this morning from the medic who tried to save his life.

Lance Corporal Guy Bosher - questioned by coroner John Gittins - agreed that the Guardsman's death, after an attack whilst he was manning a sentry point on his own, would have been instantaneous.

The inquest at Ruthin, before coroner John Gittins, is due to last three days.

A dog, which spent eight years detecting explosives in the Middle East, is retiring to his home in Bridgend, after being rescued by his original handler.

There were fears for Tyler's future, after his employer pulled out of Afghanistan. So Simon Mallin went to find him.

The pair first met in 2005 in Iraq when Simon was a handler, and they bonded whilst working under extreme conditions.

In late 2008, Simon returned to the UK and formed his own training academy, 'Malpeet K9 Academy.' But five years later in 2013, Simon became concerned about Tyler after hearing his employer was pulling out of Afghanistan.

With the help of an animal rescue charity in Kabul and some public donations, Simon managed to locate Tyler and bring him home.

He's planning to enjoy his retirement life with Simon in Cardiff, and will serve as Malpeet K9 Academy's mascot.

Soldiers from the Welsh Cavalry are set to work alongside troops from the United States and the Afghan National Army on their final tour. It comes as British troops look to a full withdrawal from Aghanistan by the end of the year.

The Welsh Cavalry have embarked on their final tour of Afghanistan. The tour will see them working towards the handover of control to the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) and the protection of the remaining ISAF.

The 1st Queen's Dragoon Guards (QDG) have started their final tour of Afghanistan. British troops are preparing to leave Afghanistan by the end of the year.

The QDG - known as The Welsh Cavalry - have taken over responsibilities from the 3rd Battalion the Mercian Regiment (Staffords), the 9/12 Royal Lancers and the 4th Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland in Helmand Province.