Two British soldiers killed in Afghanistan named by MoD

The soldiers were killed while providing security in Helmand province

Two British soldiers killed when their armoured vehicle struck a makeshift bomb in Afghanistan have been named by the Ministry of Defence.

Lt David Boyce and L/Cpl Richard Scanlon, from the 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards, were providing security in Helmand province at the time.

The soldiers had been serving with the Formation Reconnaissance Squadron.

The deaths bring the total number of UK military personnel killed in operations in Afghanistan since 2001 to 388.

Lt Boyce, 25, from Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, and L/Cpl Scanlon, 31, from Rhymney, Caerphilly, were caught in the explosion while in the Yakchal region of Nahr-e Saraj, Helmand.

Lt Boyce was deployed on 21 October in command of 1st Troop, B Squadron, 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards.

He studied international relations at the University of Exeter before joining the Army in 2009.

Lt Boyce's family said he had brought sunshine into the lives of all the people he knew.

In a statement they said: "David was honoured to be a cavalry officer who embraced military life with a passion. We are immensely proud of all that he achieved in such a short life and take comfort knowing that he died doing what he loved.

"He brought sunshine into the lives of all those he knew. David will be dearly missed by his loving family and girlfriend Jodie."

Lt Col Jasper de Quincey Adams, commanding officer of the 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards said he represented everything that is great about the British Army.

Col de Quincey Adams said: "He led from the front, setting the very highest standards, and inspired his men and peers alike.

"Tall, powerful and with an infectious smile he, like so many officers of his generation, was committed to his men and determined to succeed on the operations."

Comrades also said Lt Boyce was "full of laughter and mischief" and a larger-than-life character.

L/Cpl Scanlon was deployed to Afghanistan on 18 October 2011. He had also served in Bosnia in 2001 and Iraq in 2003 and 2005.

His family said he would be sorely missed by all who knew him.

They said in a statement: "Richard was a fun loving young man who enjoyed life to the full. He had a great love for his family - always helping them out whenever he could when needed.

"Richard was a great character and he will be sorely missed by his family and all who knew him. There will never be anyone else like our Richard."

Col de Quincey Adams said he was "one of life's great characters" and an experienced soldier who was calm under pressure.

He said: "We will miss him terribly, barracks life will have lost some of its sheen, but our tragic loss is insignificant compared to that of his family; his mother, stepfather, father and sisters Lisa and Emma, all of whom he loved so much.

"Lance Corporal Scanlon will never be forgotten and our memories of him will forever be cherished."