Troops killed in Afghanistan named

Tributes have been paid to a marine, a member of the RAF Regiment and a soldier who were killed during a bloody week for British troops in Afghanistan.

Marine Jonathan Crookes, 26, a reservist in 40 Commando Royal Marines, was killed in an explosion while on foot patrol in Sangin on Friday. On the same day, Senior Aircraftman Kinikki Griffiths, 20, from the RAF Regiment died in a vehicle crash near Camp Bastion.

Sergeant David Monkhouse, a 35-year-old member of the Royal Dragoon Guards, died in a blast in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand on Saturday. Another soldier from the Royal Logistics Corps was killed in an explosion in the same area that day.

Comrades described Marine Crookes, from Halesowen, West Midlands as a "gentle giant". His mother Sue and fiancee Danielle Davis spoke of their pride in the marine, who volunteered to serve in Afghanistan three times.

Outside the Royal Marines, he was studying for a degree in International Relations and worked as a tree surgeon and labourer. Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Paul James, said: "He was a bright, strong, fearless man with a selfless, determined, but well-humoured and affable manner; everyone admired Jonny Crookes."

Senior Aircraftman Griffiths, who was based at RAF Honington in Suffolk, was carrying out his duties as his flight commander's signaller and driver when he was killed, the MoD said.

Wing Commander Paul Weaver Smith, Commanding Officer Bastion Force Protection Wing said: "Kinikki was the consummate professional gunner and, even at this early stage, had much promise; he will be sorely missed by all who knew him in the RAF Regiment. Kinikki was serving his country by protecting a key UK operating base and he died whilst ensuring the security of others and enabling airpower."

Sgt Monkhouse, from Aspatria, Cumbria, was described as a devoted father to daughter Daisy-Twinkle. The Regimental Medical Sergeant had previously served four tours in Northern Ireland and one in Iraq. His family said: "For David, the Army was his life, second only to his daughter. His devotions were equally divided between his beloved Twinkle and his beloved Regiment, the Royal Dragoon Guards."

Lieutenant Colonel James Carr-Smith, commanding officer of The Royal Dragoon Guards, described Sgt Monkhouse as a "great man".

The second soldier to die in Nahr-e Saraj on Saturday is due to be named on Monday. The British death toll in the Afghan campaign since 2001 now stands at 322.