Private Charles David Murray died on 8 June, 2008, in a suicide bomb attack in Afghanistan.

Pte Murray, who was 19 and a member of the 2nd Battalion, the Parachute Regiment, was on foot patrol in the Helmand Province when he died alongside two colleagues - Private Nathan Cuthbertson and Private Daniel Gamble .

Their deaths brought to 100 the number of British troops killed since the conflict began in 2001.

Pte Murray, known to everyone as “David”, was serving as a rifleman and Assault Engineer with 4 Platoon, B Company.

His family said: “David was the best son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend that any of us could hope for. Although his time with us was short, he lived every second to the full and taught us the meaning of life.

“David always dreamed of being a soldier like his uncle, papa and grandad. He made us proud, every day, in everything he did. He was the little guy with a big heart, although he would never admit it. He had the biggest, cheekiest grin that we had ever seen and he always made us laugh with his cheeky way.

“David looked after his family in every way he could, his friends were like brothers and sisters to him and his memory will live on through his friends and his family. Although he always wanted us to be happy and would hate to think of us as sad, for a time, we will be because we miss him so much.

“We love you David and are so very proud of you. One day, we will see you again."

Pte Murray was born in Dumfries on 7 January 1989, but grew up in Carlisle. He began his military career early. Having left school at the age of 16 he attended the Army Foundation College in Harrogate in September 2005, where his passion and skill for rugby league saw him represent the college during a tour to Australia.

His slight stature belied a standard of fitness and robustness that set the standard in his platoon. His love of soldiering, and admiration for his Section Commander, led him to choose a career in the Parachute Regiment.

Having successfully completed his initial training he attended the Infantry Training Centre in Catterick, North Yorkshire.It was here that he completed his training, passing the physically demanding Pre Parachute Selection Course, P Company as the champion recruit.

He became eligible to serve with the Parachute Regiment and subsequently earned his military parachute wings at RAF Brize Norton. He joined the 2nd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment in December 2006 as his platoon was preparing to be held on standby for High Readiness tasks within 16 Air Assault Brigade.

He quickly fitted in due to his naturally relaxed and outgoing nature. It did not take long for him to demonstrate his soldiering ability and he undertook specialist training as an Infantry Assault Engineer within a year of joining the battalion, a course usually reserved for soldiers of greater experience.

Commanding Officer of 2 PARA, Lieutenant Colonel Joe O’Sullivan, said the three soldiers were wounded by a suicide bomber near Forward Operating Base INKERMAN, and, despite the best efforts of the medics on the ground and at the hospital in Camp Bastion they could not be saved.

"They died doing their duty and doing their best, taking care with a potential threat, but also understanding the importance of connecting to the people around them. All three had been in Afghanistan for two months and had already experienced physically draining patrols in the high heat of the Afghan summer, combat with the Taliban, and the danger which is inescapable in our part of Helmand.

"They tested themselves to join the Parachute Regiment and they welcomed the challenge of operations. They knew the risks, and in facing them today as they had done every day before, they demonstrated the clear, cold courage which is the hallmark of their comrades and their Regiment.

"We will all take some time to think about them, and we salute them as brave young men, but our thoughts are also with their families who bear the greatest burden of their loss. We will turn to our job again and continue the relentless pressure on the Taliban in this valley, which in time will create space for a better life for the people here.

"When our job in Helmand is completed we will return home and honour them as members of 2 PARA who have given their all for their friends, their Regiment and the difficult task they faced. We will remember what they have done and the life that they have given, and what we achieve here will be their memorial.”