ONE of the two soldiers shot dead outside a base in Helmand had previously served with two units in Abingdon, it has emerged today.

The Ministry of Defence has just named the two soldiers, killed on Monday outside the Lashkar Gah Main Operating Base in Helmand, as Sergeant Luke Taylor of the Royal Marines and Lance Corporal Michael Foley of the Adjutant General's Corps.

L/Cpl Foley had joined the Army in 2003 and his first two postings were with 4 Logistic Support Regiment and 3 Logistic Support Regiment in Abingdon.

The pair will be repatriated to RAF Brize Norton, along with Captain Rupert Bowers, from 2nd Battalion The Mercian Regiment, tomorrow.

The plane is expected to land at 2.30pm, pass the Memorial Garden near Carterton at 4.30pm and arrive at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford for 5.30pm.

The pair were killed by a rogue Afghan soldier at the main entrance to the base in Helmand's capital before he was then shot dead. The shooting was the latest in a string of "green on blue" attacks in which members of the Afghan security forces have opened fire on international allies.

L/Cpl Foley was born in Burnley in October 1986.

He joined 4 Logistic Support and then 3 Logistic Support. It was during this second posting that he decided to re-trade as a combat human resources specialist.

He was described as a key member of the Task Force Helmand Headquarters Information Hub team.

L/Cpl Foley leaves behind a wife, Sophie, and three children, Calum, Warren and Jake.

His family said in a tribute: "Michael passed away while on operational duty in Afghanistan where he was very proud to be serving his country in support of our combined forces in this theatre of operations. He will be sorely missed by his family and friends and everyone privileged to serve with him both on his last tour and during his military career."

Sergeant Taylor, 33, joined the Royal Marines in 1997.

He came from Bournemouth and married in 2008. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Nicola, and their young son, Roan.