Tributes to the three SAS reservists

The families of the three part-time SAS soldiers killed in Afghanistan today paid moving tributes to their loved ones.

The dead soldiers were named today as lance corporal Richard Larkin, 39, private Paul Stout, 31, and 28-year-old corporal Sean Reeve.

Lance corporal Larkin and Pte Stout were both married with children. They served with 23 SAS, one of two part-time SAS regiments fighting the Taliban. Corporal Reeve was a member of the Royal Signals serving on attachment to 23 SAS.

In a statement released through the Ministry of Defence, lance corporal Larkin's family said today: "[He] was a beloved husband, father, son and brother whose tragic and untimely death will be deeply mourned by his family, friends and colleagues."

Relatives of Pte Stout said: "Paul was a loving father and devoted husband. He was a wonderful son and brother and will be greatly missed by all his family and friends. Our lives will be changed forever by this loss." Cpl Reeve was described as a "dearly loved son, brother, godparent, uncle, grandson, and friend, who was loving, loyal, honourable, selfless and gentle".

His family said he was "a pillar of strength that all could turn to. Sean's professionalism and determination for all that he did was an inspiration to all that were fortunate to have known him. Taken from us but never forgotten". All the families asked to be left alone to grieve in private.

Defence Secretary Des Browne described the deaths of the three men and Intelligence Corps corporal Sarah Bryant as "tragic losses" and added: "All four were immensely dedicated and professional service personnel and my sincere and deepest condolences go out to all of their family and loved ones. I can not comprehend the pain they are going through. We will ensure their losses were not in vain."

The SAS reserve squadrons are the cream of the British army's TA units and support the regular SAS wherever they fight.

Entry is open to 18 to 30-year-olds, or at 35 with previous military experience, and members range from former soldiers with a continued taste for adventure to company directors. They undergo a modified SAS selection process and train at weekends like other Territorial soldiers.

One SAS source said: "While noone is pretending that these guys are equipped with the full set of skills in the dark arts of special forces operations ... the truth is that they are a cut above most other regular army units with the exception perhaps of the Paras."