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Soldier killed at UK base named | |
(1 day later) | |
A British soldier who died in "a tragic firearms accident" in Afghanistan has been named by the Ministry of Defence. | |
An inquiry has been launched into the death of L/Cpl George Russell Davey, from the 1st Battalion Royal Anglian Regiment, at a British base in Helmand. | |
The MoD said 23-year-old L/Cpl Davey, a father of two daughters, who was from Beccles, Suffolk, had been a "loyal, kind-hearted and selfless commander". | |
A spokesman said the death had not been the result of enemy action. | |
'Kind-hearted' | |
L/Cpl Davey, who was born in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, sustained his injuries at the British base in Sangin, Helmand Province. | |
In a statement the MoD said the soldier had been second in command of his platoon on an operation in Afghanistan since early April. | |
It said: "His quiet and unassuming demeanour helped him achieve impressive results. With the more junior soldiers in his section, he had a maturity beyond his years. | |
George Davey was a hard working, brave and humble soldier who will be sorely missed Maj Mick AstonOfficer Commanding B (Suffolk) Company | |
"He sought little praise or recognition for his actions, preferring to get on with the job in hand with the minimum of fuss." | |
The statement said L/Cpl Davey was a "pillar of strength" who had recently shown his fearlessness in "suppressing the enemy" at close quarters while under intense fire on a mission in the Sangin Valley. | |
It added he was a devoted family man who doted on his wife, Joanna, and two young daughters, Millie and Morgan. | |
'Tragic loss' | |
Maj Mick Aston, Officer Commanding B (Suffolk) Company, said: "George Davey was a hard working, brave and humble soldier who will be sorely missed by everyone in the Company." | |
Defence Secretary Des Browne said: "The loss of such a promising young soldier is very tragic. The family and friends of L/Cpl Davey are in my thoughts and prayers and I extend my heartfelt condolences to all who knew him." | |
The MoD said the circumstances of the accident would now be the subject of a Royal Military Police investigation. | |
The death is the 55th among British forces in Afghanistan since the start of operations in November 2001. | The death is the 55th among British forces in Afghanistan since the start of operations in November 2001. |