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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. | 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". | 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". | L/Cpl Moffett's father, Nigel Moffett Senior, said his son, the eldest of eight children, was "a gentle soul". |
| 'Career soldier' | '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. | "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 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." | "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." |
| We can take some comfort knowing that he died amongst friends, doing something he loved and believed in. Cpl Stephen Bolger's family statement | |
| L/Cpl Moffett's commanding officer, Lt Col Gus Fair, said he "relished a challenge". | |
| He added: "On physical training he would make sure that he was carrying more weight than anyone else, and preferably complete it faster than anyone else. | |
| "It was not unusual to see him in camp during leave just so that he could conduct some extra training. | |
| "His dedication, fitness and sheer enjoyment of his work marked him out as a star of the future and a role model to the junior soldiers." | |
| 'Immensely proud' | |
| 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. | "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." |
| His commanding officer said: "Stephen was, quite simply, an extraordinary man doing an extraordinary job. | |
| "He embodied a life based on service to others, duty and self-sacrifice - the life of a soldier. | |
| "He chose this life and lived it with a passion. He died prematurely, but he died doing what he loved." |