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Dead UK soldier planned to marry Dead UK soldier planned to marry
(about 2 hours later)
A soldier killed in an explosion in southern Afghanistan on New Year's Day got engaged to his girlfriend on the day he left the UK, it has emerged.A soldier killed in an explosion in southern Afghanistan on New Year's Day got engaged to his girlfriend on the day he left the UK, it has emerged.
Sgt Christopher Reed, 25, had planned to marry his fiancee Heather at the end of his tour but was killed on routine patrol in Helmand province.Sgt Christopher Reed, 25, had planned to marry his fiancee Heather at the end of his tour but was killed on routine patrol in Helmand province.
His family said Christopher, of the 6th Battalion The Rifles, "touched the hearts" of everyone he met.His family said Christopher, of the 6th Battalion The Rifles, "touched the hearts" of everyone he met.
The Territorial Army said his death was a "hammer blow" to the battalion.The Territorial Army said his death was a "hammer blow" to the battalion.
Sgt Reed is the 138th member of British forces to die in Afghanistan since the start of operations in October 2001. We are very proud of what he achieved and what he was trying to achieve Brian, Joy and Andrew ReedSgt Reed is the 138th member of British forces to die in Afghanistan since the start of operations in October 2001. We are very proud of what he achieved and what he was trying to achieve Brian, Joy and Andrew Reed
Speaking from his unit's headquarters at Wyvern Barracks in Devon, his commanding officer Lt Col Tom Mereweather said: "He was undoubtedly one of my very best section commanders.Speaking from his unit's headquarters at Wyvern Barracks in Devon, his commanding officer Lt Col Tom Mereweather said: "He was undoubtedly one of my very best section commanders.
"Calm, modest, easy-going but with a sense of purpose and obvious steel, he will be greatly missed.""Calm, modest, easy-going but with a sense of purpose and obvious steel, he will be greatly missed."
When not on tour with the TA, Sgt Reed, from Plymouth, built luxury yachts for Babcock Marine at Devonport Dockyard.When not on tour with the TA, Sgt Reed, from Plymouth, built luxury yachts for Babcock Marine at Devonport Dockyard.
In a statement, his parents, Brian and Joy Reed, and his brother Andrew said: "Christopher will be sadly missed.In a statement, his parents, Brian and Joy Reed, and his brother Andrew said: "Christopher will be sadly missed.
"We are very proud of what he achieved and what he was trying to achieve.""We are very proud of what he achieved and what he was trying to achieve."
'Took control''Took control'
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said during Sgt Reed's deployment he led an evacuation of casualties to get them away from a fire-fight.A Ministry of Defence spokesman said during Sgt Reed's deployment he led an evacuation of casualties to get them away from a fire-fight.
His team commander and three Afghan National Army soldiers were injured by shrapnel, he said.His team commander and three Afghan National Army soldiers were injured by shrapnel, he said.
"Without pause Chris took control of the situation overseeing the evacuation of the casualties and then continuing with his patrol," he added."Without pause Chris took control of the situation overseeing the evacuation of the casualties and then continuing with his patrol," he added.
Sgt Reed's death came a day after Royal Marine Cpl Liam Elms died during a routine patrol in the Sangin district of Helmand.Sgt Reed's death came a day after Royal Marine Cpl Liam Elms died during a routine patrol in the Sangin district of Helmand.