David Walker: Playing 'vital part' in Taliban offensive. Pic: MOD
Tributes have been paid to a Glasgow soldier killed by the Taliban in Afghanistan.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed that Lance Sergeant David Walker, of 1st Battalion Scots Guards, died on Thursday after being shot while on patrol in Helmand province.
He was working in the Nad-e-Ali area of central Helmand as part in Operation Moshtarak, the joint UK, US and Afghan assault on insurgent strongholds.
The solider's family said they were "devastated" by the loss of "a terrific husband and father".
In a statement, they added: "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."
L/Sgt Walker, 36, known as "Davey", was described by his colleagues as "the absolute epitome of a first-class Scots Guardsman who always led his men from the front".
A spokesman added: "L/Sgt Walker was a man with a great deal of promise. He was everything a professional soldier should aspire to be ... a great comrade, a brilliant soldier with a very bright future and a great friend to so many.
"He has left a huge hole in the company that will be hard to fill."
Command Officer of 1st Batallion Scots Guards, Lieutenant Colonel Lincoln Jopp, described L/Sgt Walker as "quite simply, as tough as old boots", adding: "I have been with him on operations in Northern Ireland and Iraq and, even as a young Guardsman, he was one of those people you need for the toughest times. He was just what the world would expect when they hear the phrase, 'a Sergeant in the Scots Guards'."
Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth said: "The death of Lance Sergeant Davey Walker came as very sad news to me.
"Highly respected in equal measure by his men, his fellow NCOs and officers, Lance Sergeant Walker was clearly a first class Scots Guardsman; a man of great character and skill. My deepest condolences are with his family and friends at this time."
More than 4000 British troops are involved in Operation Moshtarak, the largest offensive against the Taliban since 2001. Three British soldiers have so far been killed in the operation.
Lieutenant Colonel Jopp added: "He died during a crucial operation as part of Operation Moshtarak, leading his men in their task of air assault, flying and landing beyond the IEDs in order to extend the reach of the government forces.
"Knowing Davey, he'd have seen his mission as being mostly about leading the men of Right Flank as they put themselves in harm's way."
L/Sgt Walker had previously served in Northern Ireland and Iraq, as well as working as an Army instructor at Catterick.
