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| 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, 20, from 4th Battalion the Parachute Regiment, was killed while checking for mines. | Private Joe Whittaker, 20, from 4th Battalion the Parachute Regiment, was killed while checking for mines. |
| Sergeant Major Michael Williams, 40, from 2nd Battalion the Parachute Regiment, died in a firefight. | |
| Their deaths on Tuesday took the number of British service personnel killed in Afghanistan since 2001 to 108. | Their deaths on Tuesday took the number of British service personnel killed in Afghanistan since 2001 to 108. |
| Defence Secretary Des Browne said he was "deeply saddened" by their deaths. | Defence Secretary Des Browne said he was "deeply saddened" by their deaths. |
| Both were respected and both will be sorely missed Lt-Col Joe O'Sullivan New vehicles for Afghanistan | Both were respected and both will be sorely missed Lt-Col Joe O'Sullivan New vehicles for Afghanistan |
| "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." |
| 'Inspired' | 'Inspired' |
| Sgt Maj Williams, from Cardiff, joined the regiment in 1986, while Pte Whittaker, from Stratford-upon-Avon, was temporarily attached to 2nd Battalion. | Sgt Maj Williams, from Cardiff, joined the regiment in 1986, while Pte Whittaker, from Stratford-upon-Avon, was temporarily attached to 2nd Battalion. |
| Commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Joe O'Sullivan said the battalion had "lost one of its most senior and its most junior soldiers". Pte Whittaker was one of the youngest soldiers serving with 2nd Battalion | Commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Joe O'Sullivan said the battalion had "lost one of its most senior and its most junior soldiers". Pte Whittaker was one of the youngest soldiers serving with 2nd Battalion |
| "Sgt Maj Williams had given most of his working life to the Parachute Regiment - Pte Whittaker was just starting his working life," he said. | "Sgt Maj Williams had given most of his working life to the Parachute Regiment - Pte Whittaker was just starting his working life," he said. |
| "These two men were very different in age, experience and rank, but both were inspired by the challenge of service with the Parachute Regiment, and the very difficult task that confronts us each day here in Northern Helmand. | "These two men were very different in age, experience and rank, but both were inspired by the challenge of service with the Parachute Regiment, and the very difficult task that confronts us each day here in Northern Helmand. |
| "Both were respected and both will be sorely missed by their friends and the battle group, but most of all by their families." | "Both were respected and both will be sorely missed by their friends and the battle group, but most of all by their families." |
| Five other members of 2 Para have been killed in Afghanistan this month. | Five other members of 2 Para have been killed in Afghanistan this month. |
| Privates Daniel Gamble, David Murray and Nathan Cuthbertson were killed on 8 June by a suicide bomber. | Privates Daniel Gamble, David Murray and Nathan Cuthbertson were killed on 8 June by a suicide bomber. |
| L/Cpl James Bateman and Pte Jeff Doherty were shot dead four days later while on patrol. | L/Cpl James Bateman and Pte Jeff Doherty were shot dead four days later while on patrol. |
| 'Like a brother' | 'Like a brother' |
| Sgt Maj Williams was known to his colleagues as "Mark" or "Weasel". | Sgt Maj Williams was known to his colleagues as "Mark" or "Weasel". |
| His close friend, Sgt Maj Karl Mitchell, said: "I think of him in two ways: Mark the soldier and Mark the friend.Sgt Maj Williams was in the Parachute Regiment for 22 years | His close friend, Sgt Maj Karl Mitchell, said: "I think of him in two ways: Mark the soldier and Mark the friend.Sgt Maj Williams was in the Parachute Regiment for 22 years |
| "The soldier was one of the most professional men I've ever had the honour of working with. | "The soldier was one of the most professional men I've ever had the honour of working with. |
| "Mark the friend was more like a brother. He was generous nearly to a fault, he would stop everything to help out in any way he could, and nothing was too much to ask." | "Mark the friend was more like a brother. He was generous nearly to a fault, he would stop everything to help out in any way he could, and nothing was too much to ask." |
| Pte Whittaker's mother Naomi said he was "a truly wonderful son". | Pte Whittaker's mother Naomi said he was "a truly wonderful son". |
| "He was generous, funny, brave and loyal to his friends," she said. "He was doing what he wanted to do and he was immensely proud to wear his maroon beret. | "He was generous, funny, brave and loyal to his friends," she said. "He was doing what he wanted to do and he was immensely proud to wear his maroon beret. |
| "We are so proud of him, his courage and his determination to serve his country." | "We are so proud of him, his courage and his determination to serve his country." |