Afghanistan death soldier Michael Roland to be repatriated

The body of a soldier from West Sussex who was killed in southern Afghanistan is being repatriated to the UK.

Guardsman Michael Roland, from 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, was shot while on patrol in the Nahr-e-Saraj district of Helmand province.

The 22-year-old had been in Afghanistan for less than four weeks when he died of his injuries last Friday.

The father of twins joined the Army in 2009. He lived in Worthing but grew up in Tollerton in Nottinghamshire.

His body will be flown into RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire where there will be a private ceremony before the cortege makes its way through nearby Carterton on its way to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.

After his initial training, Guardsman Roland spent a year undertaking duties at the Royal Palaces and participating in state ceremonial tasks as part of Nijmegen Company, Grenadier Guards.

He joined 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards in November 2010 and was a rifleman in Number Three Platoon, part of The Queen's Company.

He was deployed to Afghanistan on 3 April where he was based at Main Operating Base Price near Gereshk in Helmand province.

He was part of the company team charged with searching compounds, and was deployed on a three-day operation on 26 April. He was killed a day later.

Lt Col James Bowder, commanding officer of 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, described him as "sparky, diligent and super-fit," and said he was "a terrific soldier with a bright future".

His family said he was "a loving and caring son" who had always wanted to join the Army.