Corporal James Oakland of the Royal Military Police was killed in Afghanistan on Thursday 22 October 2009.

Corporal Oakland, 26, was killed by an explosion while on a foot patrol in the Gereshk region of Helmand province. He was conducting a route search to clear devices for his colleagues.

His death took the number of British troops who had died since operations in Afghanistan began in October 2001 to 222.

He went to Afghanistan two months earlier than the rest of his unit having volunteered to replace a casualty. On arrival he was deployed to a Forward Operating Base as the Weapons Intelligence Detachment Commander in Gereshk.

Embedded within the Battle Group, his duties included direct support to Improvised Explosive Device Disposal teams, scientific exploitation of devices and support to Battle Group patrols.

The Ministry of Defence said Corporal Oakland was an outstanding Junior Non-Commissioned Officer with excellent prospects. He joined the Army in January 2002 and passed out into the Intelligence Corps. In 2003 he transferred to the Royal Military Police and attended phase 2 training at the Royal Military Police Training School, Chichester.

His first posting was to 156 Provost Company RMP in Colchester, where he conducted General Policing Duties. From there he deployed with the Spearhead Lead Element to operations in Kosovo and Beirut. Following this Corporal Oakland immersed himself in pre-deployment training for OP HERRICK 8 where he deployed with the Force Protection Company in Kabul.

After this highly successful tour he was posted to Weapons Intelligence Specialist Company and was soon sent on his Level 2 Investigational course, qualifying him as a Class 1 RMP Investigator. He passed with a very high standard and a recommendation for the Special Investigation Branch.

On return to his unit he again became involved with pre-deployment training prior to deploying as the Weapons Intelligence Detachment Commander in the Gereshk area of Helmand Province.

Corporal Oakland was survived by his parents Steve and Christine and a brother, Daniel, who is in his final term at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. He had a long term girlfriend, Lauren Bowyer, whom he loved dearly and enjoyed travelling the world with; Corporal Oakland was very close to his family who are from New Moston in Manchester.

Corporal Oakland's family paid the following tribute: "We are immensely proud of James, the person he was and the job that he did. He was a true friend, loving son, grandson, brother and boyfriend, who will be dearly missed and never forgotten."

His commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Gareth Bex said: "Corporal James Oakland was an excellent soldier, a natural leader and extremely well thought of by all ranks. He was an inspiring character and his loss will be felt keenly across our close knit community.

"When a battle casualty replacement was needed two months ago, his professionalism made him the natural choice to deploy and he excelled in his operational duties.

"He always sought additional responsibility and had a very bright future ahead of him. His personal example and dedication is an inspiration to us all. At this sad time our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and loved ones."