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| Soldier killed in Helmand named | Soldier killed in Helmand named |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A British soldier shot dead at a checkpoint in southern Afghanistan has been named as Guardsman Simon Davison. | A British soldier shot dead at a checkpoint in southern Afghanistan has been named as Guardsman Simon Davison. |
| The 22-year-old from Newcastle, who joined the 1st Battalion The Grenadier Guards last year, came under attack near Garmsir in Helmand Province. | The 22-year-old from Newcastle, who joined the 1st Battalion The Grenadier Guards last year, came under attack near Garmsir in Helmand Province. |
| His commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Carew Hatherley, said he died fighting to protect other Grenadiers. | His commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Carew Hatherley, said he died fighting to protect other Grenadiers. |
| His death on Thursday takes the number of British troops killed in the country since 2001 up to 54. | His death on Thursday takes the number of British troops killed in the country since 2001 up to 54. |
| Guardsman Davison was part of a team manning one of three checkpoints in the area. | Guardsman Davison was part of a team manning one of three checkpoints in the area. |
| At 0645 local time (0315 BST) on Thursday the checkpoint was attacked by eight to 10 lightly-armed Taleban fighters, said the Ministry of Defence. | At 0645 local time (0315 BST) on Thursday the checkpoint was attacked by eight to 10 lightly-armed Taleban fighters, said the Ministry of Defence. |
| He was a gentleman in every way Guardsman Alan Davies | He was a gentleman in every way Guardsman Alan Davies |
| In the subsequent gun battle, he was shot. | |
| Guardsman Davison started work as a carpenter before joining the Army in 2005. Less than a year later, he was posted to the Grenadier Guards. | |
| He leaves behind his mother Maureen Hindmarch, father Ray Davison and sister, Caroline. | |
| His company officer, Major Will Mace, described him as "a soldier of the highest calibre". | His company officer, Major Will Mace, described him as "a soldier of the highest calibre". |
| "It is a tribute to his professionalism and strong character that he fell while performing his duties and protecting his friends." | "It is a tribute to his professionalism and strong character that he fell while performing his duties and protecting his friends." |
| A friend and fellow soldier, Guardsman Alan Davies, added: "He was a gentleman in every way and could always be relied upon to make people laugh." | A friend and fellow soldier, Guardsman Alan Davies, added: "He was a gentleman in every way and could always be relied upon to make people laugh." |
| Defence Secretary Des Browne said that by all accounts, Guardsman Davison was a "truly professional and well respected soldier". |