One of the five British soldiers murdered in a shooting in Afghanistan was a military policeman and a Territorial Army reservist who was born in Birkenhead, Merseyside.
Acting Cpl Steven Boote, 22, was serving with the Royal Military Police when the outrage was carried out on Tuesday by member of the Afghan Police Force that he was engaged in training.
Three Grenadier Guards and two members of the Royal Military Police were shot dead by a police officer who entered their secure compound in Helmand province. Six others were seriously wounded alongside two Afghans.
Although the Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, the gunman, who escaped and was being hunted by British Special Forces, was recognised by guards and had been a member of the Afghan National Police for three years.
The deaths brought the total of British fatalities in the conflict to 229.
The five soldiers killed at the compound in Nad-e-Ali were Sgt Matthew Telford, 37, Guardsman James Major, 18, and WO1 Darren Chant, 39, all of the Grenadier Guards, and Acting Cpl Steven Boote and Cpl Nicholas Webster-Smith, 24, of the Royal Military Police. They were relaxing after finishing a patrol when the gunman opened fire with an assault rifle.
A series of setbacks and controversies in Afghanistan has come amid falling public support for the mission. Earlier this week, Mr Karzai was returned as Afghan president in an election that was marked by widespread ballot-rigging.
The soldiers were part of a mixed team of soldiers from the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards and the Royal Military Police tasked with mentoring a number of members of the Afghan National Police at a checkpoint.
The Grenadier Guards Battle Group had identified the need for increased mentoring of the Afghan National Police within its area of operations.
Acting Corporal Boote, was known as Steven or "Booty" to his family, friends and colleagues, led in action whilst carrying out his duties at Blue 25, an ANP checkpoint in the Nad-e'Ali District of Helmand Province, Afghanistan on 3 November 2009.
Corporal Boote was a soldier in the Territorial Army and a member of the Manchester Detachment of 116 Provost Company, Royal Military Police (Volunteers). He was attached to 160 Provost Company for his deployment on Operation HERRICK 11.
Steven was born on the 4 December 1986 in Birkenhead, Liverpool. He joined the Territorial Army in early 2006, joining 107 Field Squadron Royal Engineers (Volunteers) in his local town of Birkenhead. Shortly afterwards he transferred to the Royal Military Police and on completion of his basic training joined 116 Provost Company. He completed his police training and was promoted to Lance Corporal in 2007.
In late September 2008 Corporal Boote volunteered to deploy on Operation HERRICK 11 with 160 Provost Company and took part in many exercises during the pre-deployment training, performing to a very high standard throughout. Corporal Boote was exceptionally proud to be a soldier in the Territorial Army, and always went that little bit further to prove this - it didn't go unnoticed.
A Security Team Leader at a local Tesco store, Corporal Boote had aspirations to join the Civilian Police.
Corporal Boote had a long-term girlfriend Emma, who was constantly in his topic of conversation and who we all know he loved very much, along with his mum Margaret and dad Anthony whom he was very attached to.
One of his main passions in life was motorbikes, which he and his dad spent many hours restoring and building, as well as riding them together. Steven was a strong character with a good sense of humour and enjoyed being round his friends, colleagues and always up for a laugh.
His final request was for his family and friends to be brave as he was and remember Help for Heroes.
Corporal Boote's family paid the following tribute: "Our son Steven was a wonderful, genuine young man. He would light up a room with a single smile and left a lasting impression on all he met. A son and friend who can never be replaced, but never be removed from our hearts. An only child but never alone, who through family and friends led a full and happy life.
"Emma, his partner, was the love of his life and his soul mate. We couldn't stop him doing what he believed in, and he did believe he was doing his bit for his country. Steven, we are all so proud of you and you will always be our hero. Look after Nan and Granddad. Goodnight our son, our friend, our life."
Corporal Boote's girlfriend Emma Murray said: "Your cheeky smile would fill everyone with happiness. Steven I love you so much. You are my rock, my refuge and I will love and miss you more than words can say. Your caring nature and gentle ways will never be forgotten. All my love, my heart and soul, I will see you in my dreams."
"The Regiment is stunned at the untimely loss of Corporal Boote; it is a much poorer place without him."
Lieutenant Colonel Debbie Poneskis His Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Debbie Poneskis (Commanding Officer 4th Battalion Royal Military Police) said: "Corporal Boote was very proud to be a Territorial Soldier, second only to his pride in being a Military Policeman. He worked tirelessly to ensure he was at the top of his game and showed steadfast resilience and determination in gaining a much sought after place on Operation HERRICK 11 with his regular counterparts.
"Although relatively new to the Territorial Army and the Military Police, Corporal Boote was a popular member of both 116 Provost Company and 160 Provost Company alike. He was accepted readily by his colleagues, largely down to his professionalism and enthusiasm.
"Corporal Boote spoke at length of his long term partner, Emma, and his parents, Tony and Margaret, with whom he was very close. His other passion in life was motorbikes, spending many an hour with his dad restoring and building them as well as hitting the open road.
"Corporal Boote was a strong character with a good sense of humour and enjoyed being round his friends and having a laugh. It was an absolute pleasure to promote him to full Corporal at the end of an exercise earlier this year, he utterly deserved it and the smile on his face will be my enduring image of him.
"The Regiment is stunned at the untimely loss of Corporal Boote; it is a much poorer place without him. Our thoughts and prayers are with his parents and his girlfriend at this difficult time; we share in their grief."
Cpl Boote's Company Commander, Major Phil Hacker, said: "Steven's death, so early in our tour, has come as a great shock to us all. He loved being a soldier in the Territorial Army and revelled in Army life.
"He knew and accepted the dangers a tour of Afghanistan might bring. Courageous by nature, he was an outstanding soldier who always volunteered for the most demanding tasks. He inspired confidence in all those he served with and we are all so proud and feel so humble to have served with him.
"We will always remember Steven who was a true example of the Royal Military Police Corps motto 'Exemplo Ducemus'; by Example we Lead."
The Operations Officer for 160 Provost Company, Captain Karen Tait, said: "Corporal Boote made an instant impact with 160 Provost Company, he was grinning with excitement at the prospect of training with us and ultimately deploying with us on tour.
"He spoke with me about the possibility of enlisting as a regular soldier, something I would have wholeheartedly supported.
"Throughout pre-deployment training and during his short time on operations he demonstrated why he was the man for the job - committed and courageous to the end. It is an honour to have served with him."
2nd Lieutenant Richard Evans said: "Corporal Boote served with 160 Provost Company as a Territorial Army soldier from 116 Provost Company. He was a keen, hardworking individual who fully embraced the ethos of the Royal Military Police and Military life.
"He immersed himself fully in all he did, and did so with a sense of humour and alacrity. Corporal Boote is a shining example to Service Police.
"He was a grafter, dedicated soldier, and a good friend to many within the Regiment. Never one to complain, Corporal Boote accepted all responsibilities bestowed on him, and eagerly tackled every challenge he came across.
"He was a tough individual who made a great and lasting impression on those who served with him. He will be sorely missed."
Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth said: "I was extremely saddened to hear of the deaths of these courageous soldiers. My very deepest condolences go out to their families, friends and colleagues as they come to terms with the loss of these outstanding men.
"It continues to be a difficult year in Afghanistan for our brave people who are operating within the most challenging area of the country.
"We owe it to them to show the resolve that they exhibit every day in building security and stability in Afghanistan and protecting the UK from the threat of terrorism."
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