Street honours soldier killed by the Taliban

A soldier who died in a firefight with the Taliban has had a road named after him close to where he grew up.

Private Tony Rawson, from Dagenham, was killed in 2007 when his early morning patrol was attacked in Afghanistan's Helmand province.

Tony Rawson Way was opened yesterday by members of his family, including parents Ann Williams and Alan Rawson.

They were joined by Colour Sergeant Matthew Waters, Private Matthew Woollard and Lance Corporal Scott Garrett, who all served alongside the 27-year-old.

The street provides seven new council houses for families on the waiting list. Pte Rawson's mother said: "I'm so proud to have this new street named after Tony. It would have made him so happy.

"His friends are absolutely delighted as well. It's so nice for them to have something permanent in Dagenham to remember him by."

Pte Rawson was fatally wounded during the battle in August 2007, six months before he was due to marry his fiancée Louise.

The Ministry of Defence said an emergency helicopter was dispatched but Pte Rawson was pronounced dead at the scene. Two of his friends were also injured.

Pte Rawson joined 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment in 2003 and had served in a weapons search squad in Iraq as well as the UK, Italy and Kenya.

He lived with his fiancée and her daughter Caitlin, and was described as a devoted family man.

Known as Nicey to friends, he was described by his Army colleagues as having a "passion" for his work. They added that he did not have "a bad bone in his body".