A Telford soldier who had served in Afghan-istan was one of three killed in a crash in Wales, it emerged today.

Lance Corporal Christopher Beckett, 25, died along with Corporal Daniel Ginty, 26, and Corporal James Luton, 24, in the crash in the village of Roch, Pembrokeshire. The bodies of the three soldiers were discovered in the car by a pub landlord. 

They were found yesterday morning about four miles from Cawdor Barracks, Brawdy, where they were based with the 14th Signal Regiment (Electronic Warfare). 

It is not yet clear how long it had been since the crash happened. 

The Ministry of Defence said it was announcing the untimely deaths of the soldiers – all three of whom had served in Afghanistan – with “great regret”. 

The Skoda Fabia car they were travelling in is understood to have left the road and hit a wall on the A487. 

Their commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Tim Carmichael, said his thoughts were with the men’s families. 

Of Lance Corporal Beckett, from Telford, he said: “Already in this, his first assignment in the Royal Signals, Chris had faced the tough challenge of an operational tour in Helmand Province. 

“To have returned from there and yet have his life cut short within a few miles of my regiment’s base in Pembrokeshire is particularly tragic. 

“Chris Beckett was an enthusiastic young man who was learning his trade at an impressive rate. He will be missed by everyone in my regiment.” 

He said Corporal Ginty was one of the regiment’s “rising stars”. “Having already served in Iraq and Afghanistan, he volunteered to return to Helmand Province and was due back there next month,” he said. 

“So it is all the more sad that he should die in a road traffic accident so near to home. 

“Dan was the best of his bunch – a strong leader and role model for the junior lads. His passing has left a hole that will be hard to fill.” 

Corporal “Jimmy” Luton, of Belvedere, Kent, was “a fine man and a capable soldier with a ready smile”, Lt Col Carmichael said. 

“He will be sorely missed by all his comrades and friends in the regiment.”

By David Burrows