Lance Corporal Paul Muirhead died from wounds sustained during a Taliban attack on his base at Musa Quala in Helmand province, Afgahnistan on Friday 1 September 2006.

Lance Corporal Muirhead volunteered to go to Afghanistan alongside his fellow Rangers, it was whilst defending his fellows Rangers that he was killed. After the attack he had been receiving specialist medical care, and his parents were with him when he died.

Ranger Anare Draiva died in the same incident.

Lt Col Michael McGovern paid tribute to him:

"Lance Corporal Muirhead was a calm, confident and determined member of the Patrols Platoon. A quiet exterior belied a character who was renowned for looking after the younger less experienced soldiers. He was widely respected across the Battalion."

"Lance Corporal Muirhead was an extremely experienced soldier who had served on Operation Telic 1, the liberation of Iraq, in Northern Ireland and most recently a six month tour of Baghdad and Southern Iraq."

"The Battalion is deeply saddened at the loss of two soldiers in this incident, both killed as the result of enemy action. Our thoughts and prayers are of course with their families and friends at this terrible time."