Army dog handler awarded Elizabeth Cross

The family of an army dog handler who was killed in Afghanistan has been presented with the Elizabeth Cross by the Princess Royal.

Lance Corporal Liam Tasker, aged 26, from Kirkcaldy, Scotland, was killed on 1st March 2011 when he was on patrol in Helmand province with springer spaniel Theo.

The sniffer dog, described as a "true friend" to the soldier, died hours later after suffering a seizure.

The Princess presented the medal to the soldier's family at a private ceremony.

Prince presents medals to Gurkha soldiers

The Prince of Wales has presented campaign medals to Gurkha soldiers following their six-month deployment in Afghanistan. 

As Colonel in Chief, Prince Charles met troops from 1st Btn. Royal Gurkha Rifles at Sir John Moore Barracks in Folkestone.

The battalion completed its tour of duty working with Afghan National Security Forces in November.

It lost four of its members in Afghanistan in July and October.

Major James Joshua Bowman, Lt Neal Turkington and Cpl Arjun Purja Pun were killed by a rogue Afghan soldier on 13 July, and Rifleman Suraj Gurung was killed in an explosion while on patrol in Nahr-e Saraj on 2 October. 

Read more at BBC