Soldiers: Corp Johnathan Moore and Pte Sean McDonald
The Ministry of Defence has named two Scottish soldiers who were killed while on patrol in Afghanistan.
Corporal John Moore and Private Sean McDonald of The Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (1 Scots), part of the 3 RIFLES Battle Group, died in Helmand on Sunday.
They died as a result of an explosion near Sangin in Helmand while on foot patrol.
Corp Moore, 22, was from Bellshill in Lanarkshire, and attended Hamilton Grammar School before joining the army.
Pvt McDonald, 26, who was married and from Edinburgh, attended Currie Community High School.
Corp Moore was commanding his section on a routine night patrol to the south of the Company Base on the evening of February 7 when an IED detonated killing him and his lead man.
His family said they are devastated at his loss but said he died doing a job he loved.
They said: "Johnathan was a proud Scottish Soldier who was doing a job that he loved. He will be sadly missed by a loving and very proud family. The Army and his family were Johnathan's life we are devastated at our loss."
Lieutenant Colonel Nick Kitson, Commanding Officer, 3 RIFLES Battle Group, said Corp Moore was one of their "brightest stars".
He said: "Corporal 'John' Moore was as determined and committed as he was able and professional. A junior leader of the rarest quality, our army depends on men like him and his loss is a bitter blow.
"Another of our brightest stars has given his all before we have had the chance to see his full and undoubted potential unfold. Yet he would be the first to tell us not to dwell on our sense of terrible loss but to pick ourselves up and carry on the outstanding work he and his men have been doing."
Lt Col Kitson added: "Corporal Moore has been at the forefront of some of the most demanding urban counter-insurgency operations imaginable amongst the tight and treacherous alleyways of his company's part of Sangin.
"He has daily and nightly run the gauntlet against a small band of callous insurgents rarely willing to show themselves or fight head on, preferring to rely on indiscriminate booby traps which have also taken a devastating toll on locals and their children."
Pte McDonald, who was born in Toronto, completed his Infantry phase two training at the Infantry Training Centre in Catterick after signing up to join the army aged 16.
He joined his Battalion, The Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment) in 2001 and has since been on three tours of Iraq, and has also served in Bosnia and Northern Ireland.
Pte McDonald, as a senior soldier, was responsible for clearing the ground of improvised explosive devices to allow both ISAF and local nationals to walk the streets without fear of death or serious injury.
He was on a routine night patrol providing security to the local people when an IED detonated, killing him and his commander.
He leaves behind his wife Jennifer, his mother Jacqueline and brother, Darryle McDonald, and a sister, Ceilidh Spratt.
Pte McDonald's mother, Jacqueline McDonald, said his death would leave a hole in his family's heart.
She said: "My son was so proud to be a soldier. He will be desperately missed by all family and friends. This tragedy has left a hole in our lives and a hole in our heart. Sleep well baby boy."
Lt Col Kitson said Pte McDonald was "fearless" and "inspired" younger members of his section.
He said: "Private Sean McDonald was a true individual whose talents and outlook brought huge strength to the team. In our hierarchical and career focused organisation a ten-year private soldier can be a rarity these days, especially one found on the very front line, at the tip of the spear as he was.
"Yet such exceptions to the rule are just what bring us true strength and Private McDonald was certainly no exception in this regard. Loved and respected in equal measure, he clearly inspired and emboldened the younger members of his section, his platoon and his company.
"Fearlessly and without hesitation Private McDonald threw himself at the most dangerous and daunting of tasks that the treacherous alleyways and towering compound walls of eastern Sangin could offer."
Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth also paid tribute to the two men.
He said: "I was so very sorry to learn of the deaths of Corporal John Moore and Private Sean McDonald. Hearing about these two brave men, I am filled with admiration for their courage and loyalty.
"Corporal Moore was clearly an extremely committed leader who was ready to rise to every challenge.
"Private McDonald was obviously a soldiers' soldier who knowingly took risks to help bring a better future for the people in his area of operations. It is very clear that both were professional, courageous, selfless, and committed - true infantry soldiers.
"My thoughts and deepest sympathies are with their loved ones."
