LCpl George Davey died as a result of a tragic firearms accident on the British base at Sangin in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

LCpl Davey joined the British Army in January 2004 and having completed training as an infantry soldier at the Infantry Training Centre Catterick, he joined the 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment the same year.

He was born on 8 January 1984 in Great Yarmouth, later moving to Beccles in Suffolk. Among his many interests, he had a love for motorcycling and he was a keen swimmer.

As a section 2IC in 5 Platoon B (Suffolk) Company, he had been serving in Helmand Province, Afghanistan on Operation Herrick 6 since early April 2007. George was a kind-hearted, loyal and selfless commander who worked tirelessly for the benefit of others. His quiet and unassuming demeanour helped him achieve impressive results. With the more junior soldiers in his section, he had a maturity beyond his years. He sought little praise or recognition for his actions, preferring to get on with the job in hand with the minimum of fuss and the welfare of his men was foremost.

In the face of the enemy, he displayed all the attributes of a first class soldier. On a recent mission in the Sangin Valley, under intense fire from the enemy, he was fearless in the support he provided to his platoon sergeant, as he attempted to suppress the enemy at close quarters. LCpl Davey was a pillar of strength to all those around him and he was a proven combat soldier whose influence will be missed in the company.

LCpl Davey was foremost a completely devoted family man. He doted on his wife, Joanna, and his two young daughters, Millie and Morgan, about whom he would talk animatedly on the joy they brought him. Along with his faith, his family were the foundation on which he drew his own strength.