This is a tribute in memory of Joseph Pool. Lance Corporal Joseph McFarlane Pool of The Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, was killed in Afghanistan on Sunday 5 September 2010.

Lance Corporal Pool was serving as part of the Brigade Reconnaissance Force in Helmand province, involved in conducting operations over the last few months aimed at bettering the lives of the local people by improving security and increasing their freedom of movement.

On Sunday 5 September 2010, the Brigade Reconnaissance Force were completing an operation in the Nad 'Ali (North) district to disrupt the insurgency by denying enemy freedom of movement and were conducting a series of searches on compounds of interest.

There was an exchange of fire with insurgents and tragically Lance Corporal Pool was killed in action following a rocket-propelled grenade attack.

Lance Corporal Joseph Pool, aged 26, from Greenock, enlisted in the Army in August 2003. After completing the Combat Infantryman's Course at the Infantry Training Centre Catterick he joined 1st Battalion The King's Own Scottish Borderers before the formation of The Royal Regiment of Scotland in March 2006.

He accrued a raft of operational experience during his time in the Army, completing tours of Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan; often selected for demanding specialist roles on operations on the basis of his enthusiasm and natural talent for his chosen profession. Equally charismatic in barracks as he was in the field, he prided himself on his position as a battalion Physical Training Instructor.

Lance Corporal Pool died doing a job he loved surrounded by men proud to call him a friend. He will be sorely missed by all his colleagues in both 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland and the Brigade Reconnaissance Force.

His dedication to his comrades on the battlefield was only surpassed by that to his family; his fiancée Lynsey and sons Lee and Jamie were never far from his thoughts. He also leaves behind his mother and father, Stella and Roddy, and brother Ryan.

Lance Corporal Pool's family paid the following tribute to him:

"Joseph was a loving son to Stella and Roderick, brother of Ryan, loving father of Lee and Jamie and devoted partner to Lynsey. Joseph lived life to the full and was proud of everything he achieved in the Army, always putting others first and doing the best he could at all he did.

"The family would be grateful if the media respect their privacy and let them grieve in peace at this time. RIP son, we will always love you."

His fiancée, Lynsey Houston, added:

"Joe was a loving fiancé and wonderful dad of two boys aged seven and two; he was much loved and he will be missed by all his family and friends."

This online memorial has been created to honour the memory of Joseph Pool. He made the ultimate sacrifice for his country and his comrades and will never be forgotten. May he rest in peace.