Blackburn family mourns soldier killed in Afghanistan (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Blackburn family mourns soldier killed in Afghanistan

5:10pm Friday 5th March 2010 in News By David Watkinson, Deputy news editor

L/Sgt Walker

A SOLDIER whose family is from Blackburn has been killed in Afghanistan, it has been revealed.

Lance Sergeant David ‘Davey’ Walker, of 1st Battalion Scots Guards, was fatally wounded while conducting a ‘ground domination’ patrol which came under fire from insurgents.

L/Sgt Walker was born in Glasgow but was married to his wife Teresa, who was from Blackburn, and his funeral will take place in the town this week.

Bosses at the MoD said L/Sgt Walker, 36, was employed as a Section Commander and his unit had played a ‘vital part’ in Operation Moshtarak since the start of February.

L/Sgt Walker was responsible for commanding and leading a four man 'fire team' in engaging and reassuring the local population as well as def-eating the insurgents.

The success the company had been experiencing was in no small part due to his ‘extraordinary leadership and guidance’, the army said.

The couple and their children lived in Glasgow. Lieutenant Colonel Lincoln Jopp MC, Commanding Officer 1st Battalion Scots Guards, said: “Lance Sergeant Walker was the absolute epitome of a first class Scots Guardsman who always led his men from the front.

“He will be remembered for his passion for fishing, football and for Celtic Football Club.

“He will be missed for his sense of fun, his unselfishness and his unshakable loyalty to his friends.

“He was, quite simply, as tough as old boots.”

A family spokesman said: “We are devastated by the loss of David, who was a terrific husband and father.

!We are proud of the fact that David was prepared to do his duty helping the people of Afghanistan.

"He will be sadly missed by his wife Teresa and by all family and friends.”