THE most senior British soldier to have been killed in Afghanistan had complained that a shortage of helicopters was endangering his troops, it has emerged.

Lieutenant Colonel Rupert Thorneloe, left, from Kirtlington, near Bicester, died in July when his vehicle was wrecked by a bomb.

The 39-year-old sent a memo less than a month before his death, saying management of helicopter movements in the country was “not fit for purpose” and there were not enough of the aircraft.

A series of dispatches was sent by the officer, one of which read: “I have tried to avoid griping about helicopters – we all know we don’t have enough.

“We cannot move people, so this month we have conducted a great deal of administrative movement by road. This increases the IED [improvised explosive device] threat and our exposure to it.”

Lt Col Thorneloe, who was commander of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, died with Trooper Joshua Hammond on July 1 in Helmand province, north of the town of Lashkar Gah.

Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth said: “We know the value of helicopters and that is why we have increased the numbers and types, improved engines and almost doubled flying hours. But improvements are ongoing, with additional Merlins being deployed imminently.”