Teenage soldier from Bromsgrove killed in Afghanistan (From Bromsgrove Advertiser)

Teenage soldier from Bromsgrove killed in Afghanistan

3:37pm Monday 6th July 2009

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AN 18-year old soldier from Bromsgrove is one of the latest victims to die in the war in Afghanistan.

Private Robert Laws from the 2nd Battalion the Mercian Regiment was killed when his vehicle was hit by a rocket propelled grenade attack on Saturday.

He was taking part in Operation Panchai Palang involving around 3,000 soldiers.

It was aiming to improve security in the area north of Lashkar Gah, clear the Babaji and Malgir areas of insurgents and restore government control before the national elections.

Fellow soldier Lance Corporal David Dennis, 29, of the Light Dragoons was also killed, although in a separate incident.

Pt Laws, known to his pals as 'Robbie,' was a popular member of his platoon during training and achieved the title 'best shot' on the light machine gun when he arrived at 2nd Mercian (Worcesters and Foresters).

He swiftly became known for his mischevious sense of humour and cheeky wit.

In a statement his family said: "The parents and close family are immensely proud of their popular and loving son. They would like to thank all their friends for the loving support at this very difficult time."

His commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Simon Banton said: "Robbie only joined 2nd Mercian a very short time ago, but had already begun to make his mark. He was excited and eager to deploy to Afghanistan and this only a few days after his 18th birthday .

"He was a warm and cheerful young man who mucked in when there was work to be done and quickly made friends.

"Robbie's falling has taken a good soldier from us: a man who was not afraid to move forward, endure hardships and he had the courage to fight the enemy alongside his brothers.

" Robbie died alongside his mates in B Company, 2 Mercian, and his death has rocked them, they will hold him in their hearts as they fight on".

"Trooper Curtis Clifton, a childhood friend serving with the Light Dragoons added: " I remember when Robbie was seven years old. He was stood in the school playground by himself, a small shy lad reading a book.

"We became very good friends. We did everything together. We decided to join our local swimming team at the age of 13 and from then on you could see he was a talented swimmer.

At the age of 16 we both went to the Army Foundation Centre in Harrogate and went on a trip to Malta with the army swimming team.

"My best memory of him has to be when we both brought Hallowe'en masks and went round Sliema asking people for pictures with them.

"Robbie was a true friend. He would always put his family and friends before himself, even if that meant him going without or getting himself into trouble."

Secretary of State for Defence Bob Ainsworth MP offerd both families his deepest sympathy.

He said the mens' deaths was a 'desperately sad loss' to their colleagues in Afghanistan and the Armed Forces community.

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