Army tribute to 'one of the best'

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A Welsh Guard killed in an explosion in southern Afghanistan has been called "one of the best of his generation" by his commanding officer.

Lance Sergeant Tobie Fasfous, 29, from Bridgend, south Wales, was called a "superb soldier" and "great character".

Specialist mortarman L/Sgt Fasfous died while on a foot patrol in the north east of Gereshk in Helmand Province with the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards.

His mother, Anne Fasfous, said his family was "extremely proud of Tobie".

The number of UK troops killed on operations in Afghanistan since 2001 now stands at 153, following his death.

L/Sgt Fasfous was taking part in the patrol along with soldiers from the Afghan National Army outside Forward Operating Base (FOB) Keenan.

He was responsible for directing and controlling the mortar fire used to support friendly troops.

The MoD described him as a "bright, popular individual who proved his flexibility in Operational Theatres as far apart as Bosnia, Iraq, and, most recently, Afghanistan".

He was killed on patrol doing a job at which he excelled and his loss will be sorely felt amongst all those who served alongside him Captain Tom Anderson, platoon commander

L/Sgt Fasfous's partner, Kelly Gore, lives in Bridgend and his mother works in the Middle East.

Ms Gore said: "Tobie was a tremendous partner - he was proud to be a soldier and died doing a job he loved.

"We never had a bad time - he loved life to the full and will be sorely missed."

'Promising future'

His platoon commander, Captain Tom Anderson, said: "L/Sgt Fasfous was a soldier who maintained the highest standards at all times, was utterly dependable and universally popular.

"There can be no doubt that the Battalion has lost a fine soldier, a loyal comrade, and a close friend.

"He was killed on patrol doing a job at which he excelled and his loss will be sorely felt amongst all those who served alongside him.

"As an individual, he generated respect and friendship throughout the Welsh Guards, and our thoughts are with his family and friends."

Colleagues paid tribute to L/Sgt Fasfous, known as "Fas", was "a close friend and an inspiration to us all".

His commanding officer, Lt Col R S M Thorneloe called him "a superb soldier - one of the best of his generation."

"He was also a great character and a thoroughly decent man. His loss has been an enormous blow to his many friends in the Welsh Guards. He was one of the battalion's great characters and just about everybody knew him, liked him and respected him."

Lt Col Thorneloe said their loss was "huge" but was "nothing compared to the devastation that his family and his partner - to whom he was devoted - must now be feeling".

Defence Secretary John Hutton said he was "extremely saddened" to hear L/Sgt Fasfous's death.

He added: "He was regarded by all his friends, colleagues and commanders as a professional and ambitious soldier with a very promising future ahead of him.

"His loss will be keenly felt by his fellow Welsh Guardsmen, and most of all by his partner and family. My thoughts are with them all during this terrible time."