Family pays tribute to soldier

A British soldier who died in hospital after he was wounded in Afghanistan was someone who would "make time for a hug for everybody", his family has said.

Kingsman David Robert Shaw, from 1st Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, was shot when his checkpoint came under attack from insurgents in the Lashkar Gah district of Helmand Province on Monday.

The 23-year-old was flown back to the UK for treatment but died on Wednesday at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.

His family paid tribute to Kingsman Shaw, saying: "He will be missed and never forgotten."

In a statement issued through the Ministry of Defence (MoD), his family said: "David was a much-loved son and brother who was proud to have served his country in the 1st Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment.

"He loved his family and friends and would always make time for a hug for everybody. He enjoyed playing football, running and was an Arsenal fan. He also followed his local team, Barrow AFC.

"He has touched many lives. He will be missed and never forgotten."

Known in his battalion as "Doctor S", Kingsman Shaw, from Barrow-in-Furness, joined the army in February 2008 and after training was posted to 1st Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment.

He was first deployed to Afghanistan in March 2010 with Corunna Company, and returned last October as an Assault Pioneer as well as a qualified sharpshooter, the MoD said.

In one incident, he administered first aid to four local children who had fallen into a canal after a vehicle accident, showing actions "of the highest calibre".

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-defence(Ministry of Defence)