Bomb kills Ben, 18

Private Ben Ford, aged 18, from Chesterfield, north Derbyshire, was on routine patrol in Helmand province when the vehicle he was in was hit on Wednesday.

His family said in a statement today: "We are immensely proud of our son and know that he lost his life doing something he was proud to be a part of and that he loved. We now ask that our privacy is fully respected at this very difficult time."

His colleague Private Damian Wright, 23, from Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, and a civilian interpreter also died in the blast.

A third soldier was injured in the incident, which happened 10.5 miles north of Lashkar Gah.

The tragedy comes less than a week after Senior Aircraftman Christopher Bridge, 20, of Shiregreen, Sheffield, was killed in an explosion while on patrol around Kandahar Airfield in southern Afghanistan.

Pte Ford and Pte Wright are the first fatalities from the newly formed 2nd Battalion, The Mercian Regiment (Worcesters and Foresters), formerly known as the 1st Battalion the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment (29th/45th of Foot).

Pte Ford joined the Army in July 2005, and completed his training at Catterick before arriving at the 1st Battalion the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment in February last year, in Hounslow, west London.

During his time with the battalion he conducted public duties and pre-deployment training for the current operational tour.

This was his first overseas deployment with the Army.

Lieutenant Colonel Simon Banton, Commanding Officer of the battalion, said: "Private Ford was a tremendous young soldier - fit and enthusiastic, hard-working and committed to his comrades and a career in the Army."

Major Paul "Shove" Gilby, Officer Commanding C Company, said: "This was his first operational tour of duty in Afghanistan and one that he relished.

"He was proud to be member of a close-knit team, company and family regiment. Young on paper, at the age of only 18; however in life he was mature beyond his years in attitude, bearing and ability.

"Close friend Private Scott Barber said: "He was always up for a laugh, the life and soul of any party. My thoughts are with his family and girlfriend, Tasha, at this sad time.

"Fordy was a close friend and a career soldier in a job he loved. He will be missed by me and all that knew him."

Defence Secretary Des Browne said: "Private Wright and Private Ford were two talented and committed soldiers whose loss will be felt keenly by all who knew them. Their families and colleagues are in my thoughts at this painful time, as are all of our forces facing danger on operations."

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