Dead soldier in Afghanistan named

Craftsman Lombardi had been due to marry his partner Ellie

The latest British soldier killed in Afghanistan has been named by the Ministry of Defence.

Craftsman Anthony Lombardi, 21, died in an explosion while driving a vehicle as part of a supply convoy in Lashkar Gah district, Helmand, on Tuesday.

The Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers serviceman was attached as a vehicle engineer to The Light Dragoons.

Craftsman Lombardi was from Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire. He had a one-year-old son, Harvey, with his fiancee Ellie.

A family statement said: "Everyone who loved Anthony is proud of him for who he was and for what he was doing in the Army.

"Everyone is gutted that such a talented, wonderful and popular person is now missing from their lives and his son will never grow up and understand what an amazing star Anthony was."

Craftsman Lombardi, who was known as "Lombo" by his friends, had joined the Army in September 2004.

Craftsman Lombardi was hugely popular and undoubtedly had the potential to go far Lieutenant Colonel Gus Fair

He was "intelligent, driven and a brilliant mechanic", said Lieutenant Colonel Gus Fair, commanding officer of The Light Dragoons.

"More than that, though, he was the life and soul of his peer group. Always at the centre of any social event, he applied the same vigour and enthusiasm for life to his work.

"No matter how little sleep he had, or how complicated and lengthy his repair was, Craftsman Lombardi would have a smile on his face and an infectious enthusiasm that carried his section forward."

"He was hugely popular and undoubtedly had the potential to go far."

"The perfect tradesman; fit, bold, cheerful and incredibly bright", was how Captain Dave Bunker described Craftsman Lombardi.

"His very presence motivated everyone to give their best."

He could soldier with the best of the infantry, and would volunteer for the toughest patrols and operations Major Paddy Ginn

Captain Bunker added: "His prowess with a spanner was only matched by his skills on the dance floor where he truly astounded us all."

Craftsman Lombardi was a keen sportsman who had represented the Army Youth Team and the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) at football.

"I was amazed by his abilities both as soldier and a skilled craftsman," said Major Paddy Ginn.

"That the vehicles never failed is a direct result of his awesome capacity for hard work," said the major.

"But he could also soldier with the best of the infantry, and would volunteer for the toughest patrols and operations."