This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7475130.stm
The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Soldiers killed in Helmand named | Soldiers killed in Helmand named |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Two British soldiers killed while taking part in the same operation in Afghanistan have been named by the Ministry of Defence. | Two British soldiers killed while taking part in the same operation in Afghanistan have been named by the Ministry of Defence. |
| Private Joe Whittaker and Sergeant Major Michael Williams died on Tuesday in Helmand Province. | |
| Sgt Maj Williams, from 4th Battalion the Parachute Regiment, died in a firefight with the Taleban. | Sgt Maj Williams, from 4th Battalion the Parachute Regiment, died in a firefight with the Taleban. |
| Pte Whittaker, from 2nd Battalion the Parachute Regiment, was killed while checking for mines. | Pte Whittaker, from 2nd Battalion the Parachute Regiment, was killed while checking for mines. |
| Defence Secretary Des Browne said he was "deeply saddened" by their deaths. | Defence Secretary Des Browne said he was "deeply saddened" by their deaths. |
| "They both died in the most heroic of circumstances," he said. | "They both died in the most heroic of circumstances," he said. |
| "Company Sergeant Major Williams was taking part in a deliberate operation to drive Taleban fighters from the Upper Sangin Valley and Private Whittaker was checking the road for mines to ensure the safety of his comrades. | "Company Sergeant Major Williams was taking part in a deliberate operation to drive Taleban fighters from the Upper Sangin Valley and Private Whittaker was checking the road for mines to ensure the safety of his comrades. |
| "At this extremely difficult time, my thoughts are with their family, friends and comrades." | "At this extremely difficult time, my thoughts are with their family, friends and comrades." |