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/world/7570828.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Widow mourns 'heroic' UK soldier | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A British soldier killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan died a hero, doing the job he loved, his widow has said. | |
Cpl Barry Dempsey, 29, from The Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland, was named by the Ministry of Defence. | |
Three others were injured when an explosion hit a joint UK-Afghan patrol at 0825 local time in the Gereshk area of Helmand province on Monday. | |
The father-of-two, from Ayrshire, will be "forever missed", widow Shelly said. | |
Cpl Dempsey, who leaves a son Charlie and daughter Andie, is the 116th British soldier to have been killed in Afghanistan since British operations began in 2001. | |
He joined The Royal Highland Fusiliers in 1998 and spent most of his career as a medic in the Regimental Aid Post. | He joined The Royal Highland Fusiliers in 1998 and spent most of his career as a medic in the Regimental Aid Post. |
'Died a hero' | 'Died a hero' |
Cpl Dempsey's widow said: "Barry was a devoted husband and father. He has died doing a job he loved. His family and the Army were his life. He will be forever missed by his wife, children and family. | Cpl Dempsey's widow said: "Barry was a devoted husband and father. He has died doing a job he loved. His family and the Army were his life. He will be forever missed by his wife, children and family. |
"He will never be forgotten. He died a hero." | "He will never be forgotten. He died a hero." |
Insurgents detonated the roadside bomb as Cpl Dempsey and other members of the patrol left their vehicle. | Insurgents detonated the roadside bomb as Cpl Dempsey and other members of the patrol left their vehicle. |
Three other members of the patrol, a non-British international soldier, an Afghan National Army soldier and an interpreter, suffered shrapnel and blast injuries in the attack. | Three other members of the patrol, a non-British international soldier, an Afghan National Army soldier and an interpreter, suffered shrapnel and blast injuries in the attack. |
He was in Afghanistan to provide aid to his comrades, and served with bravery and dedication, doing what he was best at Lt Col Nick Borton | He was in Afghanistan to provide aid to his comrades, and served with bravery and dedication, doing what he was best at Lt Col Nick Borton |
They were flown to the medical unit at Camp Bastion. | They were flown to the medical unit at Camp Bastion. |
Lt Col Nick Borton, commanding officer of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, described Cpl Dempsey as "calm and professional", naturally suited to a medical career. | Lt Col Nick Borton, commanding officer of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, described Cpl Dempsey as "calm and professional", naturally suited to a medical career. |
He said: "Barry was a stalwart of the Medical Centre; a hard worker, he always volunteered for any task, and was always at the centre of the team, motivating and encouraging the younger medics." | He said: "Barry was a stalwart of the Medical Centre; a hard worker, he always volunteered for any task, and was always at the centre of the team, motivating and encouraging the younger medics." |
He added: "He was in Afghanistan to provide aid to his comrades, and served with bravery and dedication, doing what he was best at. | He added: "He was in Afghanistan to provide aid to his comrades, and served with bravery and dedication, doing what he was best at. |
"A thorough professional and a loving family man, we have lost a great friend and fellow soldier." | "A thorough professional and a loving family man, we have lost a great friend and fellow soldier." |
Defence Secretary Des Browne said: "I was extremely saddened to hear of the death of Cpl Dempsey yesterday morning. | Defence Secretary Des Browne said: "I was extremely saddened to hear of the death of Cpl Dempsey yesterday morning. |
"He was a selfless and brave professional, putting himself in harm's way to provide the very best of medical care to his colleagues and Afghans alike. | "He was a selfless and brave professional, putting himself in harm's way to provide the very best of medical care to his colleagues and Afghans alike. |
"My thoughts are with his family, friends and members of his regiment at this very difficult time." | "My thoughts are with his family, friends and members of his regiment at this very difficult time." |