300th soldier to be killed in Afghanistan ‘lived like a lion’
The family of the 300th British soldier killed in Afghanistan today paid tribute to him for living his life as the "biggest lion in the pride".
Marine Richard Hollington, 23, who played semi-professional football for Portsmouth FC, died on Sunday from injuries suffered in a bomb blast.
Today the Ministry of Defence said that another Royal Marine from 40 Commando died yesterday after being hit by an explosion, also in the Sangin district of the southern Helmand province. Next-of-kin have been informed.
In a statement, Marine Hollington's family said: "What can we say that hasn't been said so many times before and will be repeated so many times to come?
"Richard will leave a huge, numbing hole in the lives of his family, friends and Royal Marine colleagues.
"The saying goes It is better to live one day as a lion than your whole life as a worm'. He chose to live his days as a lion and to us, and we believe his friends, he was the biggest, if softest, lion in the pride."
Marine Hollington lived in Petersfield, Hampshire, with his parents and younger brothers Nick and Charlie.
He was flown back to Britain with critical injuries after being hit by a makeshift bomb on June 12. He died at the New Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham.
Lieutenant Colonel Paul James, Commanding Officer 40 Commando Group, Combined Force Sangin, said: "Marine Richard Hollington was one of my finest.
"It takes extraordinary courage to be at the front of every patrol but Marine Hollington did so with the professional pride that gave confidence to others."
Major Mark Totten, officer commanding Bravo Company, 40 Commando Royal Marines, said: "Men like Dickie are pure gold in a patrol base here in Afghanistan. His optimism was infectious. We will look to him for mettle in the days ahead."
With the British military death toll in Afghanistan now 301, army chiefs have joined David Cameron in urging the public to keep on supporting UK troops deployed to the war zone.
Ministers have signalled that UK forces could start to be withdrawn next year if the Afghan army and police are ready to take responsibility for security.
The Prime Minister has admitted that Britain is paying a "high price" in the conflict with the rising number of fatalities and hundreds of soldiers having suffered life-shattering injuries.
