Afghan bomb soldiers tributes

Tributes have been paid by family and friends to Corporal William Savage, Fusilier Samuel Flint and Private Robert Hetherington who died in a bomb attack on Tuesday.

ITV News' Scotland correspondent Debi Edward reports:

Read more: Tributes paid to three soldiers killed in Afghanistan

Paul Tracey, who played lacrosse for Scotland with Private Robert Hetherington, said he would "never forget" his friend as he paid an emotional tribute to him.

Lieutenant Colonel Robin Lindsay, Commanding Officer, The Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland:

“We will remember Corporal William Savage as an exceptional soldier, a dedicated leader and a gentleman in the truest sense of the word. He was a classic example of a Scottish infantryman; robust, committed and blessed with a fine line in banter".

“The loss of Corporal Savage has been a hammer blow to the Battalion and the Regimental family. We are all immensely proud to have known him and we will miss him dearly. He will always be remembered as a brilliant soldier and a remarkable man".

Sergeant Saisi Vono, Platoon Sergeant, Platoon, B Company, The Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland:

“Sav was a good friend and comrade within the B Company Group. I have known him for years, he was a good humble person and very well respected by his peers. My friend, may your soul rest in peace and my heart goes out to your family mucker. May God bless your soul”.

Corporal Connor Grant, 2 Section Commander, 1 Platoon, B Company, The Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland:

“A true professional and a true friend. I am proud to have known him, he was taken far too soon”.

Lieutenant Colonel Robin Lindsay, Commanding Officer, The Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland:

"Despite his young age and relative inexperience it was clear to us all that he was a soldier brimming with skill and ability".

"We have all been immensely proud to have known and worked with Fusilier Sam Flint and he will forever be in the memory of the Battalion and of the Regiment. We bid him farewell and promise to continue his work in Afghanistan and to commemorate his sacrifice".

Lance Corporal Stewart Lyons, Fire Support Group, The Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland:

“You brought a smile to my face no matter how bad a day I had and drove me nuts fixing that car. Our banter with David and Bez can never be repeated. You made us all proud. It has been an honour working alongside you and calling you my friend. You will be forever missed”.

Fusilier Robert McSkimming, Rifleman, 1 Platoon, B Company, The Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland:

“Today I lost a good friend. There was never a dull moment living and working with Sam, he was always smiling and laughing and making everyone do the same”.

Lieutenant Colonel Robin Lindsay, Commanding Officer, The Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland:

“Private Bobby Hetherington was a thoughtful and humorous soldier who was always quick to find the fun in Army life and to keep the chain of command on our toes with his sharp wit and insightful mind".

“He will be sorely missed by us all in the Battalion and we take great pride in having served alongside such an impressive young man".

Fusilier Martin Murphy, Rifleman, 1 Platoon, B Company, The Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland:

“Robert Hetherington was a true friend, if only briefly, and a constant bag of morale. He was liked by all and will be sorely missed. My lasting memory will be of his infectious laugh and smile. RIP, Big Man, see you on the other side of the pearly gates”.

Fusilier Jimmy Hall, Rifleman, 1 Platoon, B Company, The Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland:

“Big Bob Hetherington. A dear friend, a true gentleman, a legend who will always be remembered by all. RIP”.

The three British soldiers killed in a roadside bomb attack were travelling in a Mastiff armoured vehicle when it hit an improvised explosive device (IED) on a routine patrol in Nahr-e Saraj, Helmand Province, yesterday.

Corporal William Thomas Savage, Fusilier Samuel Flint and Private Robert Murray Hetherington were airlifted to the military hospital at Camp Bastion where it was confirmed that they had been killed in action, the Ministry of Defence said.

They were part of a patrol travelling along Route 611 between Forward Operating Base Ouellette and Patrol Base Lashkar Gah Durai in Nahr-e-Saraj.

Six other soldiers were injured in the blast. It is not yet known how bad their injuries were.

It is understood the explosion was caused by a particularly large bomb and officials are looking into whether insurgents are designing bigger bombs aimed at piercing the Mastiff's heavy armour.

It is unclear whether the bomb penetrated the 23-tonne vehicle or lifted it off the road and turned it over, but it is the first time troops inside a Mastiff have been killed by an IED attack.

The relatives of Fusilier Samuel Flint, who died after a roadside bomb exploded in southern Afghanistan yesterday, said they are "completely devastated".

The Flint-Broughton family said in a statement: