Two Royal Marines whose deaths brought the Afghanistan and Iraq toll to 300 have been named as Robert McKibben and Neil Dunstan.
The pair died during a patrol in Garmsir district of Southern Helmand, Afghanistan, on Wednesday afternoon.
Their vehicle was hit by an explosive device as they patrolled with Afghan security forces.
Marine McKibben, 32, who was from Westport, County Mayo, in the Irish Republic, was well-known in his home town and a former pupil of Rice College secondary school.
His family had been expecting him home for a visit before Christmas, local priest Father Micheal Mannion said.
Marine Dunstan, also 32, was from Bournemouth and was due to marry his fiancee, Katie Miller, in summer 2010.
He had a degree in tourism and French, and was fluent in the language, had a passion for mountaineering and climbing and entertained friends by playing the guitar.
Defence Secretary John Hutton said he was "extremely saddened" to hear of the men's deaths.
He said: "I understand from their commanders that both were capable, committed and brave Royal Marines who served with dedication and distinction.
"The work they were doing was important for the national security of the UK as well as for Afghanistan, but today we remember the individual cost of that work. My thoughts are with the families of these two brave young men."
