Oh Canada: Some Gave All

Canadian soldier killed in Afghanistan

Lt. Andrew Richard Nuttall was killed in action in Afghanistan Wednesday. (DND)

A Canadian soldier and a soldier of the Afghan National Army were killed by an improvised explosive device Wednesday in Afghanistan.

The bomb detonated during a joint foot patrol near the village of Nakhonay in Panjwaii District, about 25 kilometres southwest of Kandahar City. An Afghan interpreter was also seriously injured in the blast

Lt. Andrew Richard Nuttall, 30, belonged to the 1st Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry based in Edmonton. A native of Victoria, B.C., he is survived by his mother Jane and father Richard.

The names of the Afghan soldier and interpreter were not released.

"Andrew came to Afghanistan because he honestly thought he could make a difference to the people of Afghanistan," said Brig.-Gen. Daniel Menard, commander of coalition forces in Kandahar province.

"He wanted to lead from the front and set the example, attributes he passionately displayed every time he was in front of his platoon."

Menard described Nuttall as generous, someone who always had a smile on his face and "greeted everyone he met with enthusiasm and goodwill."

At the time of his death, Nuttall was searching for Taliban transit routes, Menard said. "His patrol was part of our efforts to protect the people of the village from insurgents."

Nuttal posted photos from Afghanistan on his Flickr account and also wrote a blog on his tour of duty. His last post from Dec. 1, describes how much he enjoyed being part of two separate dinners to celebrate Eid with locals.

He also wrote about his tour being extended. "All of us here (including me) are not worried about this extension. We all believe in what we’re doing and an extra few weeks isn't going to hurt anyone in the long run (as long as we maintain our vigilance of course). Plus if I end up getting home then, I'll get to celebrate my b-day with lots of friends and family."

It's the first death of a Canadian soldier in almost two months. Sapper Steven Marshall was killed Oct. 30 in a similar incident. (CBC here)

Online condolence book....here. Check out his blog here.

Rest in peace, Lieutenant. Always remembered and honoured.