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| UK soldier killed in blast named | UK soldier killed in blast named |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| A 19-year-old British soldier who was killed in an explosion while on patrol in southern Afghanistan has been named by the Ministry of Defence. | A 19-year-old British soldier who was killed in an explosion while on patrol in southern Afghanistan has been named by the Ministry of Defence. |
| Rifleman Cyrus Thatcher, from Reading, Berks, who was with the 2nd Battalion The Rifles, died after the blast near Gereshk in Helmand province on Tuesday. | Rifleman Cyrus Thatcher, from Reading, Berks, who was with the 2nd Battalion The Rifles, died after the blast near Gereshk in Helmand province on Tuesday. |
| His parents and brothers said they would "never recover" from his death. | His parents and brothers said they would "never recover" from his death. |
| A total of 166 British service personnel have been killed on operations in Afghanistan since 2001. | A total of 166 British service personnel have been killed on operations in Afghanistan since 2001. |
| 'The very best' | |
| Rifleman Thatcher's parents, Robin and Helena, and brothers Zac and Steely, said in a statement: "Cyrus was a much-loved son and brother whose loss we will never recover from. | Rifleman Thatcher's parents, Robin and Helena, and brothers Zac and Steely, said in a statement: "Cyrus was a much-loved son and brother whose loss we will never recover from. |
| "He loved his job and was proud to serve his country. We will always be immensely proud of him. He will forever be in our hearts and minds." | "He loved his job and was proud to serve his country. We will always be immensely proud of him. He will forever be in our hearts and minds." |
| Lt Col Rob Thomson, Commanding Officer 2nd Battalion The Rifles, described Rifleman Thatcher as "one of the very best - a real thinking Rifleman". | |
| "As his commanding officer, I count it a privilege of the highest order to have known Rifleman Thatcher. His life was one of such promise and he is sorely missed," he said. | |
| "His family is right at the very centre of our prayers at this unimaginably difficult time." |