Tributes paid to soldiers

Tributes have been paid to four soldiers - including two from Wirral - who were killed in Afghanistan on Wednesday when their vehicle crashed into a canal.

The soldiers were part of a Police Advisory Team in a vehicle convoy heading for an incident at a nearby Check Point when the
vehicle rolled into the waterway.

Private Douglas Halliday and Private Alex Isaac from Wirral died alongside Colour Sergeant Martyn Horton from Runcorn.  All three were serving with 1st Battalion the Mercian Regiment based in Cheshire.  Lance Corporal David Ramsden from Leeds who was also killed was from 1st Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment.

Private Alex Isaac was 20 years old - his mum Annette Isaac said:

"My beautiful darling son who was a fighter, and so brave, you will always be in my heart, my soul and my thoughts. God bless."

His dad John Isaac said:

"I will miss you always my brave son Alex, you now live on in my thoughts and my heart."

Hi girlfriend Miss Megan Anyon said:

"I will always love you, you brave boy."

Private Douglas Halliday was 20 years old and from Wallasey.

His family said:

"Dougie was deeply loved by all of his family and friends for the love and laughter that he brought into their lives. Dougie was always the life and soul of the party and will be missed by all.

"We are all extremely privileged to have shared his short life.

"Dougie loved his job in the army and his comrades; he would have done anything for them. He was that special type of man. We were all so proud when he was voted top cadet in his passing out parade."

Colour Sergeant Martyn Horton from Runcorn was 34.

Colour Sergeant Hortons' widow Caroline has made the following statement:

"Martyn lived for three things - family, Army and Liverpool. He loved fighting for his friends and family. He was a loving dad, brother and son; he touched everyone he met.

"We will miss his cheeky grin. He will be fondly missed by everyone he knew and sadly died doing the job he loved. Once met never forgotten."

Lance Corporal David Ramsden was 26 years old and from Leeds.

His family said:

"David lived life at 1,000 mph. He loved Army life and his job and as a teenager was in the Army Cadet Force. His friends called him Lizard due to him keeping two iguanas which he re-homed before he left for Afghanistan.

"He was a normal young lad who would always cheer you up and often did things for a laugh."