Mercian soldier named

The soldier from 2nd Battalion, the Mercian Regiment (Worcesters and Foresters) killed in a gun battle with the Taliban on Thursday has been names as Private Matthew Haseldin.

Private Haseldin, aged 21, from Settle, Yorkshire, only joined the Army in February 2011.

He was killed in Nahr-e Saraj district, Helmand province, while on an operation to maintain freedom of movement for the local population.

His patrol came under attack from insurgents and during the attack, he sustained a fatal gunshot wound.

Private Haseldin joined 2 Mercian in August ahead of the battalion's deployment to Afghanistan in September on Operation HERRICK 15.

Lieutenant-Colonel Colin Marks, Commanding Officer 2 MERCIAN, said: "Although Private Matthew Haseldin had only served a short time with C Company Group, he stood out as a young man of immense character, who had travelled widely and was mature beyond his years.

Hugely popular, it was impossible to tell that he was the newest member of 7 Platoon; all of whom loved him like a brother."