ANOTHER British soldier has died in Afghanistan, bringing the grim total to 13 since June 8.

ANOTHER British soldier has died in Afghanistan, bringing the grim total to 13 since June 8.

The soldier, of B Company 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, stepped on the mine while on patrol in Lashkar Gar at 1100 local time on Saturday.

His death came the day after Warrant Officer 2nd Class Dan Shirley from 13 Air Assault Support Regiment Royal Logistic Corps was killed after his vehicle rolled and he was trapped under it during a patrol from Sangin to Camp Bastion on Friday.

The former paratrooper and father-of-two was severely injured and he was rushed to the medical facilities at Camp Bastion where despite their best efforts he was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.

Two other soldiers received minor injuries in the incident.

Tributes have flooded in to WO2 Shirley who had served with the 2nd Battalion the Parachute Regiment.

Lt Col R J McNeil OBE, commanding officer of 13 Air Assault Support Regiment Royal Logistic Corps, said: “The loss of WO2 Dan Shirley has come as a huge shock to every member of the regiment.

“He was known to all and universally respected. More than that, he was liked and admired. He was a perfect role model for young soldiers. He was fit, irrepressibly enthusiastic and superbly professional.”

WO2 Shirley served as a member of the Paras for 12 years before becoming a member of the Army Physical Training Corps.

“He was fiercely proud of being a soldier and his love of the job shone through in everything he did.

“In Afghanistan he ran the Regimental Training Wing, where he devoted his seemingly limitless energy to teaching others how to defend themselves and avoid danger. It was a role he often took out onto the ground and he was on patrol, protecting others, when a tragic accident claimed his life.

“Our thoughts and sympathies are now with WO2 Shirley's family and with his two young children. He will be deeply mourned. His memorial will be the skills that he imparted. They have already saved lives and will save more. This is a fitting tribute to an extraordinary soldier.”