John
06-19-2010, 07:45 PM
The 21-year-old from York died on Friday while protecting a patrol that was conducting a clearance operation in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand Province.
His parents Sandra and Dave Smith said: "Trooper Ashley Smith was the youngest of a very close family and doted on his parents.
"He worked hard and was passionate about what he was doing and proud of all he had achieved.
"He cared deeply about his family and the many friends he had in the Army and in his home city of York.
"Everyone that knew Ashley loved him and he was the best son any mother and father could have wished for and a loving brother to his brothers and sisters.
"Ashley will be sorely missed and we are immensely proud of our son."
Trooper Smith enlisted into the Army in March 2008 and served in Canada before deploying to Camp Bastion in early June of this year.
He had volunteered to join a patrol in an area known to be full of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).
The talented basketball player had considered a career in the sport before joining his local Cavalry Regiment.
Lieutenant Colonel James Carr-Smith, Commanding Officer The Royal Dragoon Guards said he was "a highly impressive young man; he was full of energy, very popular and tremendously good company".
"He often said that his family was the most important part of his life", he added.
"Trooper Ashley Smith died on patrol in southern Nahr-e Saraj, Helmand Province doing the job he loved, alongside his mates.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with his parents, brothers, sisters and girlfriend whom he loved dearly.
"He will be missed by us all and his sacrifice will never be forgotten."
The soldier's death brings the number of British troops who have died since operations in Afghanistan began to 299.
His parents Sandra and Dave Smith said: "Trooper Ashley Smith was the youngest of a very close family and doted on his parents.
"He worked hard and was passionate about what he was doing and proud of all he had achieved.
"He cared deeply about his family and the many friends he had in the Army and in his home city of York.
"Everyone that knew Ashley loved him and he was the best son any mother and father could have wished for and a loving brother to his brothers and sisters.
"Ashley will be sorely missed and we are immensely proud of our son."
Trooper Smith enlisted into the Army in March 2008 and served in Canada before deploying to Camp Bastion in early June of this year.
He had volunteered to join a patrol in an area known to be full of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).
The talented basketball player had considered a career in the sport before joining his local Cavalry Regiment.
Lieutenant Colonel James Carr-Smith, Commanding Officer The Royal Dragoon Guards said he was "a highly impressive young man; he was full of energy, very popular and tremendously good company".
"He often said that his family was the most important part of his life", he added.
"Trooper Ashley Smith died on patrol in southern Nahr-e Saraj, Helmand Province doing the job he loved, alongside his mates.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with his parents, brothers, sisters and girlfriend whom he loved dearly.
"He will be missed by us all and his sacrifice will never be forgotten."
The soldier's death brings the number of British troops who have died since operations in Afghanistan began to 299.