DANIEL PROBYNBritish soldier Daniel Probyn, who was killed on duty in southern Afghanistan on 26 May, 2007, was described as a "legend" within his platoon.Guardsman Probyn, from Tipton, in the West Midlands, served with the 1st Battalion the Grenadier Guards and had also served with British forces in Iraq.The 22-year-old died and four other soldiers were injured when their patrol came under attack in the town of Garmsir, Helmand Province.Soldiers from the regiment, which is based in Aldershot, Hampshire, had been involved in clashes with Taliban fighters using mortar, small arms fire and artillery.GuardsmanD aniel Probyn was born in 1985 in Tipton and joined the Army in 2003. He was a keen rugby player and also a dedicated supporter of West Bromwich Albion.He was the 56th British soldier to be killed in Afghanistan since 2001.Company comander Major Will Mace said: "Guardsman Probyn was without question one of the very best soldiers in the company."Consummatel y professional in everything he did, he was one of those men who always delivered a thousand times more than was asked of him."Platoon commander Lieutenant Andrew Tiernan added: "He was a legend within the platoon...and now he will remain a legend forever more.""He was quite simply the most outstanding soldier I have ever come across and I consider myself very fortunate to have had the pleasure of serving alongside him on operations in both Iraq and Afghanistan."Guardsm an Probyn was part of a force of British soldiers who left their base near Garmsir during the evening of 25 May, 2007. Their mission was to clear the Taliban-occupied compound.After engaging and destroying a Taliban stronghold with combined artillery, mortar and small arms fire, the force began clearing the Taliban positions. During this phase of the operation there was an explosion at around midnight, which resulted in five casualties.The casualties were extracted back to a safe location, while under fire from the Taliban, and were met by a medical team who sadly pronounced Guardsman Probyn dead at the scene.Lt Tiernan added: "As is typical of the man, Guardsman Probyn warned his fellow soldiers of a potential threat just prior to the explosion that killed him, making them move away from his position in a selfless act which saved their lives."Guardsman Probyn is a hero to all of us and will be remembered as such. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and his girlfriend Michelle, to whom he was devoted and with whom he intended to spend the rest of his life."Defence Secretary Des Browne said: "I was greatly saddened to hear of Guardsman Probyn's death and I extend my condolences to his family and friends at, what must be, the most difficult of times."He was, by all accounts, a highly respected soldier who displayed incredible professionalism and determination in all aspects of his job."
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