Family of dead soldier Capt Martin Driver 'heartbroken'

Capt Martin Driver leaves his parents, fiancee and twin brother

The family of a UK soldier who died in hospital in Britain on Monday from wounds he suffered in Afghanistan last month said they are "heartbroken".

Capt Martin Driver, 31, served with 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment.

The number of British military personnel killed on operations in Afghanistan since 2001 stands at 275.

The latest death comes as UK forces are to hand security powers for the Afghan district of Musa Qala to US troops in the coming weeks.

Capt Driver was seriously injured by an improvised explosive device while on patrol in Musa Qala and flown back to the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine at Selly Oak in Birmingham for treatment.

'Tragic loss'

The soldier's loved ones were at his bedside, but he died at 2311 GMT on Monday.

The soldier leaves his parents, his fiancee Johanna Sellway and his twin brother David.

Capt Driver, who was originally from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, had been on his second tour of Afghanistan.

He previously served in Iraq and Northern Ireland as a reservist with 4th Battalion The Parachute Regiment.

In a statement, his family said: "We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of our beloved Martin. He was such a caring young man who always put his family first.

"He touched the lives of all who had the privilege to know him. He died doing a job he loved. His dedication and professionalism will remain an inspiration to all."

'Utterly decent'

The statement went on to say Capt Driver's family was "so proud of his efforts" and "his legacy shall never be forgotten".

The soldier had studied Arabic and intended to attempt the selection process to become a member of special forces later this year.

Lt Col James Woodham, commanding officer of 1st Battalion the Royal Anglian Regiment, paid tribute to a man who had been a "popular and utterly decent" soldier and someone who "people naturally followed".

He went on to describe the dead soldier as "one of the strongest captains in the battalion" and someone who "showed the potential to achieve great things in the Army".

Capt Driver was, he said, a soldier who was "intelligent, driven, [and] outstandingly fit", while combining "grit and gravitas".