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Soldier 'died protecting friends' | |
(about 3 hours 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. | |
Commanding officer Lt Col Carew Hatherley said he had "selflessly" died fighting to protect his comrades. | |
His death on Thursday takes the number of British troops killed in the country since 2001 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. | |
He died fighting to protect other Grenadiers...there is a no more selfless act a soldier can perform Lt Col Carew Hatherley | |
In the subsequent gun battle, he was shot. | In the subsequent gun battle, he was shot. |
Guardsman Davison was educated in Cannock and Stafford, then worked 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. | He leaves behind his mother Maureen Hindmarch, father Ray Davison and sister, Caroline. |
'Gentleman' | |
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." |
His commanding officer, Lt Col Carew Hatherley, said Guardsman Davison had always wanted to be a soldier and was "immensely proud" of his uniform. | |
"Reliable and trustworthy are the two words most used when his colleagues describe him. He died fighting to protect other Grenadiers and gave his life in doing so," he said. | |
"There is a no more selfless act a soldier can perform." |