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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan death soldier named | Afghanistan death soldier named |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| A British soldier killed in an explosion in southern Afghanistan on Saturday has been named by the Ministry of Defence as 26-year-old Nicky Mason. | A British soldier killed in an explosion in southern Afghanistan on Saturday has been named by the Ministry of Defence as 26-year-old Nicky Mason. |
| L/Cpl Mason, who was from Aveley in Essex, served with the 2nd Battalion, the Parachute Regiment. | |
| He died while on a patrol near Kajaki in Helmand province, the second soldier from the regiment to die in 48 hours. | |
| He had been part of the operation to move a turbine up to the Kajaki Dam, to provide electricity for Helmand. | He had been part of the operation to move a turbine up to the Kajaki Dam, to provide electricity for Helmand. |
| 'Steadfast courage' | 'Steadfast courage' |
| His commanding officer, Lt/Col Joe O'Sullivan, said: "The hidden story of the Kajaki Dam is the company that patrols north and south of it daily, to ensure that the Taleban cannot bring heavy weapons within accurate range, so that the power station can continue to function. | His commanding officer, Lt/Col Joe O'Sullivan, said: "The hidden story of the Kajaki Dam is the company that patrols north and south of it daily, to ensure that the Taleban cannot bring heavy weapons within accurate range, so that the power station can continue to function. |
| "Those who celebrate the operation to move the turbine to Kajaki should now reflect on the steadfast courage of those who were there beforehand and who still remain, and on Nicky Mason who has given his life there." | "Those who celebrate the operation to move the turbine to Kajaki should now reflect on the steadfast courage of those who were there beforehand and who still remain, and on Nicky Mason who has given his life there." |
| Lt/Col Mason was on his first operational tour of Afghanistan and was described as a "dearly-loved" brother, son and friend by his family. | Lt/Col Mason was on his first operational tour of Afghanistan and was described as a "dearly-loved" brother, son and friend by his family. |
| He joined the Army in 2001 and had completed an operational tour of Northern Ireland as well as two tours of Iraq. | He joined the Army in 2001 and had completed an operational tour of Northern Ireland as well as two tours of Iraq. |
| His family, who have not been named, said in a statement he was "too dearly loved to be forgotten". | His family, who have not been named, said in a statement he was "too dearly loved to be forgotten". |
| Major Simon Britton, Officer Commanding X Company at Kajaki, added: "He was an excellent soldier undoubtedly, but his outstanding quality was his warmth and character. | Major Simon Britton, Officer Commanding X Company at Kajaki, added: "He was an excellent soldier undoubtedly, but his outstanding quality was his warmth and character. |
| "His ready smile was infectious and his effect upon the morale of those who lived and fought beside him will be truly missed." | "His ready smile was infectious and his effect upon the morale of those who lived and fought beside him will be truly missed." |
| The number of soldiers killed on operations in Afghanistan since 2001 now stands at 120. | The number of soldiers killed on operations in Afghanistan since 2001 now stands at 120. |