Second British female soldier to die in Afghanistan named

Captain Head, of 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment, the Royal Logistic Corps, had disabled one IED (improvised explosive device) found by B Company, 2nd Battalion, the Parachute Regiment, when another device exploded.

Her death brings to 364 the number of British military deaths in operations in Afghanistan since 2001.

Her family made the following statement –

“We wish to say that we are extremely proud of Lisa. Lisa always said that she had the best job in the world and she loved every second of it. Lisa had two families – us and the Army. Lisa had a fantastic life and lived it to the full. No-one was more loved.”

Captain Head’s family have asked that their privacy is respected at this time.

Lieutenant Colonel Adam McRae, Commanding Officer 11 EOD Regiment RLC, said: “Lisa deployed to Afghanistan with the full knowledge of the threats she would face. These dangers did not faze her as she was a self-assured, highly effective operator and a well liked leader.”

He continued: “Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with her family at this tragic moment. We mourn her loss; she is gone but will never be forgotten by her Regiment, who I know she was proud to be part of and who are immensely proud of her.”

Born on 30 November 1981, Captain Head was deployed to Iraq in 2006 and Afghanistan in 2007. After training on an Ammunition Technical Officers course, she was posted to 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment RLC.

In June 2008 Sarah Bryant, 26, became the first female British soldier killed in Afghanistan. She died along with three SAS men in a roadside bomb in Lashkar Gah.