British servicemen shot dead by Afghan soldier are named

Sergeant Luke Taylor and Lance Corporal Michael Foley were both fathers of young children

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British servicemen shot dead by Afghan soldier are named

Sergeant Luke Taylor and Lance Corporal Michael Foley were both fathers of young children

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      Press Association
    * guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 28 March 2012 18.13 BST
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Sergeant Luke Taylor
Sergeant Luke Taylor, one of the two British servicemen shot dead in Afghanistan on Monday. Photograph: MoD Crown copyright/PA

Two British servicemen shot dead by a rogue Afghan soldier at the entrance to the UK headquarters in Helmand province have been named.

Sergeant Luke Taylor, 33, of the Royal Marines, and Lance Corporal Michael Foley, 25, of the Adjutant General's Corps, were killed at the base in Lashkar Gah on Monday. Both were fathers of young children.

The defence secretary, Philip Hammond, led tributes to the "true and devoted family men", saying they had died in the service of their country.

The shooting was the latest in a string of "green on blue" attacks in which members of the Afghan security forces have opened fire on international allies.
Michael Foley Lance Corporal Michael Foley, 25, of the Adjutant General's Corps, who leaves a wife and three young sons. Photograph: MoD Crown copyright/PA

The Afghan soldier killed the British men at the main entrance to the base in Helmand's capital before being shot dead himself.

Taylor, from Bournemouth, Dorset, leaves behind his wife Nicola and their son Roan, while Foley, from Burnley, Lancashire, leaves his wife Sophie and their three sons, Calum, Warren and Jake.

It is understood that Taylor worked in intelligence. He had arrived in Afghanistan only four weeks before his death.

The Royal Marine's commanding officer, who cannot be named because of the nature of his work, described him as "a natural leader with inspirational flair who was devoted to his family".

He added: "Sergeant Luke Taylor was one of those very unique soldiers who combined the highest professional standards with a completely disarming and relaxed personality.

"Always an absolute pleasure to work with. You knew that Sergeant Taylor would deliver first time, every time."

Another colleague said: "He had one of those infectious charismas, always able to talk himself out of a situation. For me, like so many, Luke was simply an inspiration."