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British soldier dies in Malawi during anti-poaching operation | British soldier dies in Malawi during anti-poaching operation |
(32 minutes later) | |
A British soldier has died in Malawi during counter-poaching operations, the Ministry of Defence has said. | A British soldier has died in Malawi during counter-poaching operations, the Ministry of Defence has said. |
Mathew Talbot, 22, of the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, was on a patrol on 5 May when he was killed by an elephant. | |
His commanding officer, Lt Col Ed Launders, described Guardsman Talbot as "determined and big-hearted". | His commanding officer, Lt Col Ed Launders, described Guardsman Talbot as "determined and big-hearted". |
Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt said he served with "great courage and professionalism" and was carrying out "vital" counter-poaching work. | Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt said he served with "great courage and professionalism" and was carrying out "vital" counter-poaching work. |
She added: "This tragic incident is a reminder of the danger our military faces as they protect some of the world's most endangered species from those who seek to profit from the criminal slaughter of wildlife." | She added: "This tragic incident is a reminder of the danger our military faces as they protect some of the world's most endangered species from those who seek to profit from the criminal slaughter of wildlife." |
Gdsm Talbot, who was from the West Midlands, was serving in his first operational deployment, the MoD said. | |
He was killed in Liwonde National Park, in the south of Malawi. | |
He leaves behind his father Steven, his mother Michelle, his sisters Aimee and Isabel, and his girlfriend, Olivia. | |
In a statement, the MoD said Gdsm Talbot "was not unfamiliar" with Africa and had volunteered to support counter-poaching in Malawi. | In a statement, the MoD said Gdsm Talbot "was not unfamiliar" with Africa and had volunteered to support counter-poaching in Malawi. |
"With his keen interest in military history he was proud to have joined a regiment with such a rich and long lineage," it added. | "With his keen interest in military history he was proud to have joined a regiment with such a rich and long lineage," it added. |
British troops have been deployed in Africa to boost the fight against wildlife poaching. | British troops have been deployed in Africa to boost the fight against wildlife poaching. |
Their role is to train rangers in tracking, infantry, bushcraft and information analysis skills. | Their role is to train rangers in tracking, infantry, bushcraft and information analysis skills. |
The former defence secretary, Gavin Williamson, announced the expansion of the UK's counter-poaching training at two parks in Malawi - doubling the number of rangers mentored by soldiers to 120 - in 2018. | The former defence secretary, Gavin Williamson, announced the expansion of the UK's counter-poaching training at two parks in Malawi - doubling the number of rangers mentored by soldiers to 120 - in 2018. |
Gdsm Talbot's company commander, Maj Richard Wright, said that while he had only known the soldier for a short time, "he never failed to make me smile". | Gdsm Talbot's company commander, Maj Richard Wright, said that while he had only known the soldier for a short time, "he never failed to make me smile". |
Lt Col Launders added: "Mathew was loved by his brothers in arms in the Coldstream Guards. We will sorely miss his humour, selflessness and unbeatable spirit." | Lt Col Launders added: "Mathew was loved by his brothers in arms in the Coldstream Guards. We will sorely miss his humour, selflessness and unbeatable spirit." |
Shadow defence secretary Nia Griffith described the death as "tragic news". | Shadow defence secretary Nia Griffith described the death as "tragic news". |
She added: "It underlines the dedication and selflessness of our armed forces personnel serving across the world. | She added: "It underlines the dedication and selflessness of our armed forces personnel serving across the world. |
"My thoughts are with his family at this difficult time." | "My thoughts are with his family at this difficult time." |