A British soldier has died in Malawi during counter-poaching operations, the Ministry of Defence has said. Mathew Talbot, of the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, was on a patrol on 5 May when he was believed to have been killed by an elephant. His commanding officer, Lt Col Ed Launders, described Gdsm Talbot as “determined and big-hearted”.

Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt said he served with “great courage and professionalism”. She added: “This tragic incident is a reminder of the danger our military faces as they protect some of the world’s most endangered species from those who seek to profit from the criminal slaughter of wildlife.” In a statement, the MoD said Gdsm Talbot “was not unfamiliar” with Africa and had volunteered to support counter-poaching in Malawi. “With his keen interest in military history he was proud to have joined a regiment with such a rich and long lineage,” it added.

His company commander, Maj Richard Wright, said that while he had only known Gdsm Talbot for a short time, “he never failed to make me smile”.(BBC)…[+]