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MoD names dead British soldiers | MoD names dead British soldiers |
(10 minutes later) | |
Two British servicemen killed in Afghanistan on Saturday have been named by the Ministry of Defence. | Two British servicemen killed in Afghanistan on Saturday have been named by the Ministry of Defence. |
Lance Corporal Nigel Moffett, of the Light Dragoons, from Belfast, and Corporal Stephen Bolger, of 1 Para, died in an explosion. | |
The soldiers were on operation in Musa Qal'eh, in Helmand province. | The soldiers were on operation in Musa Qal'eh, in Helmand province. |
Defence Secretary John Hutton said the soldiers had "paid the ultimate sacrifice in Afghanistan, protecting the security of our nation". | |
Their deaths brought the number of UK troops killed on operations in Afghanistan since 2001 to 165. | Their deaths brought the number of UK troops killed on operations in Afghanistan since 2001 to 165. |
L/Cpl Moffett's father, Nigel Moffett Senior, said his son, the eldest of eight children, was "a gentle soul". | |
'Career soldier' | |
"His late mother always said he was the most fantastic son and he was her right arm in bringing up his siblings," he said. | |
"Nigel was a career solider who wanted to make the Army his focus throughout his entire career. He made his army his home and the Army treated him like their son. | |
"Nigel felt he was prepared for operations in that he was well trained and had the right tools for the job. Both he and his family understood that ultimately he could die although we didn't want this to happen. Ultimately, Nigel was a soldier." | |
Cpl Bolger's family issued a statement in which they described him as "a wonderful first born son, brother to two and friend to many". | Cpl Bolger's family issued a statement in which they described him as "a wonderful first born son, brother to two and friend to many". |
"He was dearly loved and will be sorely missed," they said. | |
"Stephen was always happy, caring and generous and we are sure that those fortunate enough to have known him will share in the loss we are now feeling. | "Stephen was always happy, caring and generous and we are sure that those fortunate enough to have known him will share in the loss we are now feeling. |
"We can take some comfort knowing that he died amongst friends, doing something he loved and believed in. We are all immensely proud of him." | "We can take some comfort knowing that he died amongst friends, doing something he loved and believed in. We are all immensely proud of him." |