A BRITISH soldier killed in southern Afghanistan was described last night as an “inspired leader”.
Major Sean Birchall, 33, of 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, died in an explosion while on patrol near Lashkar Gah, in central Helmand province on Friday morning, the Ministry of Defence said.
His wife, Joanna, said he was a “wonderful husband” and “devoted father” to 18-month-old son Charlie.
Maj Birchall's death takes the number of British service personnel who have died in Afghanistan since the start of operations, in October, 2001, to 169.
The fatal explosion, which happened as the officer led a patrol of three armoured vehicles between checkpoints in Basharan, injured another soldier. South African-born Maj Birchall – who would have turned 34 tomorrow – moved back to the UK as a baby and grew up in Guildford, Surrey.
