Lance Corporal Graham Shaw was one of two British soldiers from 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment who died in an explosion in Afghanistan on February 1, 2010.

They were both serving as part of the 1 Coldstream Guards Battle Group.

L/Cpl Shaw died the day after his 27th birthday. He was from Huddersfield - the first soldier from the town to die in the Afghanistan conflict.

The other soldier who died alongside him was Corporal Liam Riley , who trained with Prince Harry in Canada.

Both men were killed instantly in two improvised explosive device blasts which went off in quick succession in the Babaji District of central Helmand province.

L/Cpl Shaw was leading a patrol and Cpl Riley was the number two.

L/Cpl Shaw's family paid tribute, saying he was "proud to be a member of the British Army like his father before him".

They said: "Russ and Karen Shaw, and all the members of Graham’s family are deeply saddened by the loss of a beloved member of the family who has been taken away from us in the prime of life.

"Graham enjoyed life to the full, running everywhere. He ran to visit relatives in Calderdale and often ran on the moors near his home.

"He was very active and took part in many different sports from sky diving last summer to skiing with the Army in Canada and even surfing on the South coast – he was up for anything.

"Graham was a soldier from 16 when he attended the Army Foundation College in Harrogate.

"He was proud to be a member of the British Army like his father before him. He knew the danger that he was to face whilst serving in Afghanistan.

"He lost his life doing the job he liked and enjoyed."

Lieutenant Colonel Tom Vallings, Commanding Officer of 3 YORKS said: "Typically, Lance Corporal Graham Shaw was at the front of the patrol when he was tragically killed by an IED in Helmand.

"He was 27 years old, totally selfless, an excellent soldier and the best of fun.

"He had that knack of being able to balance both work and play to ensure he got the very best out of all that he tackled.

"Lance Corporal Graham Shaw was at his best on operations where he thrived under the added pressure and difficult conditions.

"He would brighten your day with his sense of humour and determination to get the job done.

"A great soldier and a great bloke who served his country and his friends, making Afghanistan a better place."

The two deaths brought the tally of British troops killed in Afghanistan since the war started in 2001 to 253.

Prince Harry said: "It is incredibly sad also to hear that Liam died alongside his friend, Lance Corporal Graham Shaw.

"My heart goes out to their loved ones, and to their many, many friends in their regiment and the wider Army."