DannyWINTERCorporal Danny Winter, of 45 Commando Royal Marines, was killed, aged 28,in an explosion in Afghanistan on 14 January, 2009.
Captain Tom Sawyer, from 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery, died in the same incident.
At the time Cpl Winter 's unit, Zulu Company, to which Capt Sawyer was attached, was involved in a joint operation with the Danish Battle Group and the Afghan National Army to clear compounds in a known Taliban stronghold, north east of Gereshk in central Helmand.
As a mortar fire controller, Cpl Winter's role was to provide mortar support to the frontline of the fighting troop and he died carrying out this vital task.
CplWinter, from Stockport, joined the Royal Marines at the age of 16.
As a heavy weapons specialist, he served with both 40 Commando and 45 Commando and had seen action in Northern Ireland and Iraq, before two deployments in Afghanistan.
Lieutenant Colonel Jim Morris, commanding officer with 45 Commando Group, paid tribute to him: "Corporal Danny Winter was an exceptional Royal Marine, mortarman and non-commissioned officer with a big future ahead of him.
"Clear thinking and forthright yet loyal, warm-hearted and very approachable, he was hugely influential both within the Mortar Troop but also within Zulu Company where for the last few months he had provided them with staunch fire support and planning advice throughout the many challenges that they have faced in Afghanistan.
"Brave, committed, extremely determined and operationally experienced he had a gift for giving honest advice and opinion without raising hackles and he was tremendously well respected by all ranks as a result.
"He was killed right at the forefront of an operation whilst providing the measured and balanced advice to his commander that had become his trademark. His loss has been deeply felt across the whole of 45 Commando and his ultimate sacrifice will always be remembered."
Warrant Officer Class 2 Kevin Cheeseman said: "Danny was always 100 per cent focused on his job and his professional opinion was always welcome and accepted within the Zulu Company Headquarters.
"He was a key personality within Zulu Company who all the lads looked up to. He always had time for the lads' questions on mortar fire and how best it supported them. He was out on the ground supporting most of the patrols over the last three months and would never pass up any opportunity to go out, even on the smallest of tasks."
His friend, Marine Sam Laid, said: "All I can say is that words cannot describe the loss of Danny Winter, 'the best looking man in Arbroath', as he would introduce himself.
"I first met Danny when I joined 45 Commando in 2003. Danny and a couple of other corporals, who know who they are, took me under their wing.
"He was his own person and a totally unique character. A true Bootneck. I could spin lots of dits about Danny ranging from our time fishing together, to waking up in his flat watching him rush about getting ready for work, with red body paint all over from the night before when had been celebrating Hallowe'en.
"He never did things by half and I know he will be sadly missed by his closest friends, his family, Arbroath and of course his girlfriend Amanda to whom my thoughts go out to at this time. I'm absolutely gutted.
"Love you brother, God rest your soul and may your memories live on."
Keep me informed of updates
