Marine killed in action is named

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The name of a Royal Marine killed in action in Afghanistan's Helmand Province on Monday has been released by the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

L/Cpl Mathew Ford, from Lincolnshire, was a member of 45 Commando Royal Marines, based in Arbroath, Scotland.

L/Cpl Ford, 30, was taking part in an attack on an insurgent base in the southern province, Nato said.

His death takes the number of British service personnel killed in Afghanistan since 2001 to 46.

'Close quarter fighting'

More details were released by the MoD about the action in which L/Cpl Ford was killed.

"The Royal Marine Commandos were attacking a major Taliban fort. This entailed them crossing a river, assaulting a walled compound and engaging in close quarter fighting.

"It was during the initial breach of the compound that Lance Corporal Ford was shot and killed instantly.

"His section came under fire as soon as they disembarked from their Viking Armoured Vehicles having crossed the river. Lance Corporal Ford then led his section with complete disregard for his own safety and was closing with the enemy when he was shot."

I know that this is a very difficult time for his family and his friends, but I do want to convey my sincere condolences Brigadier Jerry Thomas

Nato said several other soldiers were wounded during the attack when they were "engaged from several insurgent positions".

The commander of the UK Task Force, Brigadier Jerry Thomas, said: "Regrettably I must today report a further death. Sadly, one of our marines was killed during an important operation in southern Helmand.

"I know that this is a very difficult time for his family and his friends, but I do want to convey my sincere condolences and let them know that our thoughts are very much with them.

"Our marine was killed during a substantial pre-planned operation in the south of Helmand. His colleagues were able to display their courage and resolve in continuing their mission at a particularly challenging time."

L/Cpl Ford grew up in Immingham, Lincolnshire, and had been living in Dundee with his fiancee.

46 deaths

It is the second British death in Afghanistan so far this year. Royal Marine Thomas Curry, 21, from east London, died on Saturday.

Of the 46 deaths in Afghanistan, 21 died from accidents, illness, or non-combat injuries, according to the MoD.

The death came during a day of violence in Afghanistan. A United Nations office in Kabul was the subject of a rocket attack and two Canadian peacekeepers in Kandahar were hit by a roadside bomb and injured.

On Saturday, Kingsman Alex Green, 21, from Warrington, was killed during a patrol in Basra, Iraq.