British Jewish soldier killed while on patrol in Afghanistan
Lieutenant Paul Mervis, 27, was the first British Jewish combatant to fall during the operation in Afghanistan.
By Haaretz Service Tags: Jewish World Afghanistan UK Israel newsA British Jewish soldier was killed earlier this month in Afghanistan when a roadside bomb exploded near him while leading his platoon on foot patrol.
Lieutenant Paul Mervis, 27, was the first British Jewish combatant to fall during the operation in Afghanistan. He was buried Tuesday at the military cemetery in Aldershot, Hants.
"He was passionately committed to his men, far beyond mere duty," his family was quoted as saying in the London Times. "He had read widely about Afghanistan and went with a genuine desire to help bring enough stability there to enable reconstruction to follow."
Only a few hundred Jewish soldiers serve in the British army, a significantly lower number than those serving in the U.S. military.
Two Jewish U.S. intelligence officers, Shawn Pine and Lieutenant Roslyn Schultte, were also killed recently in Kabul.
Schulte, 25, was the first female graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy to be killed in action in Afghanistan or Iraq.
Why Facebook Connect?
Comment on Haaretz.com articles with your Facebook login, and share your thoughts on your own wall.
