COLONEL IS BLOWN UP BY TALIBAN; Hero highest ranking victim since Falklands.

Byline: Chris Hughes

THE most senior British Army officer killed in action in more than 25 years has died on the Afghan frontline.

Lieutenant Colonel Rupert Thorneloe, Commanding Officer of 1st Battalion, The Welsh Guards, was caught in an explosion in Babiji, Helmand province, on Wednesday.

Trooper Joshua Hammond of the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment was also killed in the blast during operations against the Taliban.

They were travelling in a vehicle when it was hit by a roadside bomb. Six more NATO soldiers were injured in the explosion.

Married five years ago, Lt Col Thorneloe was seen as one of the most promising young officers to reach CO level. In 2006 when he was still a major, he was awarded the MBE.

Friend He is the highest-ranking frontline British Army fatality since Colonel H Jones in 1982.

Col Jones was CO of 2 Para and won a posthumous VC for leading the GooseGreen assault during the Falklands conflict.

The latest deaths in Helmand bring the toll of British military fatalities to 171 since the operation against the Taliban began in 2001.

The MoD said the two men died during Operation Panther's Claw near Helmand's capital of Lashkar Gah.

Lt Col Thorneloe's wife Sally said: "Rupert was my very best friend and his death is a devastating blow. Our daughters Hannah and Sophie will have to grow up without him.

"Hannah always said the best bit of Daddy was his coming home and that will never happen again.

"Rupert loved the Army. He led from the front and wouldn't have had it any other way."

General Sir Richard Dannatt, Chief of the General Staff, said the colonel was at the "leading edge of his generation".

He added: "His courageous, thoughtful stewardship of 1st Battalion Welsh Guards has seen them superbly prepared for the demands of Afghanistan.

"Trooper Hammond epitomised the spirited and determined approach to operations expected of Royal Armoured Corps soldiers."

CAPTION(S):

SPIRITED: Joshua Hammond LEADING EDGE: Colonel Thorneloe