The Maidstone-based soldier killed in an explosion in
Afghanistan on Monday has been named as Warrant Officer Class
2 David Markland.

The 36-year-old Army bomb disposal expert died clearing
explosive devices in Helmand province.

WO2 Markland was from the 36 Engineer regiment based at
Invicta Barracks. He had lived in Maidstone since 2007.

He was deployed on Operation HERRICK 11 as a Royal Engineer
Search Advisor with the Joint Force EOD Group, as part of the
Counter-IED Task Force.

This was his eighth tour of duty during his distinguished 20
year service, having completed five tours in Bosnia between 1995
and 1998, one in Iraq in 2003 and this his second tour of
Afghanistan.

The father-of-two, from Euxton in Lancashire, has been described
as a "talismanic figure".

WO 2 Markland leaves behind his wife Corallee and their two sons
Keelen, aged 10 and Logan, aged 7. In a statement, his family said:
"Dave was a wonderful husband, father, son and brother.

"His family and friends all loved and adored him. Keelen and
Logan will always remember how funny and playful dad was.

"He will be sadly missed and leaves behind a family who he loved
and loves him very, very much. We are all very proud of our
hero."

His death brought the total number of British soldiers killed in
the conflict to 256, which is more than died during the Falklands
war.

Lieutenant Colonel Simon Hulme MBE RE, Commanding Officer, 36
Engineer Regiment spoke outside Maidstone's Invicta Baracks on
Thursday afternoon.

He said he had known WO2 Markland for almost 20 years and
had served with him in Germany and the UK.

He said: "Dedicated, capable and truly professional, Warrant
Officer Class 2 Dave Markland cleared every hurdle set him in his
20-year career.

"Recently selected to be appointed as a Squadron Sergeant Major,
he would have undoubtedly excelled in this prestigious post as he
did in everything else.

"A friend to all and a mentor to so many, Warrant Officer Class
2 Markland lit every room he entered with his personality,
compassion and stature."

Read more tributes from fellow soldiers on the Ministry of Defence's website >>>

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