ANOTHER bomb disposal expert from the Truro area has been killed in Afghanistan, three motnhs after being injured in another blast.

Captain Daniel Read, 31, who lived with his wife Lorraine at St Columb Road, was killed as a result of an explosion which happened in the Musa Qaleh area of northern Helmand province on Monday.

He was with 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps, part of the Counter-IED Task Force – the same as S/Sgt Olaf Schmid, from Truro, who was also killed by an improvised explosive device blast on October 31.

They knew each other well, and Captain Read and his wife had attended Olaf's funeral at Truro Cathedral, as well as the Remembrance Service there on November 8.

Capt Read's widow, known as Lou, said yesterday: "Dan was so brave, he was my hero and best friend. He was a loving husband, son, brother, uncle and friend. He will never be forgotten and always in my heart. I'm so proud and privileged to have been your wife."

Tributes started to appear on www.thisiscornwall.co.uk within minutes of the news of Capt Read's death being broken.

Enthusiasm

Born in Kent, he joined the Royal Engineers in 1996 as a Sapper. From his first taste of explosive ordnance device operations, Dan was hooked and knew the only job for him was Ammunition Technical Officer.

Dan was commissioned into the Royal Logistic Corps and was posted to 23 Pioneer Regiment RLC as a Troop Commander in April 2005. His zest and enthusiasm inspired him to complete the all-arms Commando course and a tour of Afghanistan in 2006.

In August 2009 he passed the High-Threat Operator course. He attended 21 tasks in Afghanistan, and had already dealt with 32 IEDs. His commanding officer, Lt Col Gareth Bex, said: "I found him instantly likeable. He epitomised the values of selfless commitment, loyalty and deep-seated courage.

"Such was his professionalism and determination that even an injury sustained in a bomb blast in October 2009 could not keep him away for more than two months, and he returned to theatre in December 2009.

"Despite the inherent dangers, Dan was determined to return to Afghanistan – he had a job to finish and a team to rejoin."