This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/6699245.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Soldier killed in Helmand named | Soldier killed in Helmand named |
| (1 day later) | |
| A British soldier who was killed in southern Afghanistan has been named by the Ministry of Defence. | |
| Cpl Darren Bonner, of the 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, died in an explosion in the Gereshk region of Helmand, the MoD said. | Cpl Darren Bonner, of the 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, died in an explosion in the Gereshk region of Helmand, the MoD said. |
| The 31-year-old, from Gorleston in Norfolk, was described by his company commander as a man who had "huge emotional intelligence". | The 31-year-old, from Gorleston in Norfolk, was described by his company commander as a man who had "huge emotional intelligence". |
| A total of 57 British troops have died in the country since 2001. | A total of 57 British troops have died in the country since 2001. |
| Minister's tribute | Minister's tribute |
| Cpl Bonner was engaged and had been intending to buy a home in Great Yarmouth after his tour of duty in the conflict zone, according to the MoD. | Cpl Bonner was engaged and had been intending to buy a home in Great Yarmouth after his tour of duty in the conflict zone, according to the MoD. |
| It is tragic to see the life of a devout Christian taken in this fateful manner Maj Dominic Biddick | It is tragic to see the life of a devout Christian taken in this fateful manner Maj Dominic Biddick |
| A devout Christian, he had been in the Army for 14 years and previously served in Northern Ireland, the Balkans and Iraq. | A devout Christian, he had been in the Army for 14 years and previously served in Northern Ireland, the Balkans and Iraq. |
| Friends said he had been reading the Bible the night before his death. | Friends said he had been reading the Bible the night before his death. |
| Defence Secretary Des Browne said: "My thoughts are with the family, friends and colleagues of Corporal Bonner at this very difficult time. | Defence Secretary Des Browne said: "My thoughts are with the family, friends and colleagues of Corporal Bonner at this very difficult time. |
| "By all accounts, he was a determined and highly professional soldier who looked after those around him. | "By all accounts, he was a determined and highly professional soldier who looked after those around him. |
| "His loss will only strengthen the resolve of our forces to continue their efforts to improve the lives of the people of Afghanistan." | "His loss will only strengthen the resolve of our forces to continue their efforts to improve the lives of the people of Afghanistan." |
| 'Life and soul' | 'Life and soul' |
| His company commander, Maj Dominic Biddick, said he had been "a real father figure" to many of the younger soldiers in his company. | His company commander, Maj Dominic Biddick, said he had been "a real father figure" to many of the younger soldiers in his company. |
| "It is tragic to see the life of a devout Christian taken in this fateful manner, to see fate being so cruel to a dedicated young man who was genuinely striving to make a difference." | "It is tragic to see the life of a devout Christian taken in this fateful manner, to see fate being so cruel to a dedicated young man who was genuinely striving to make a difference." |
| Cpl Bonner was described by soldiers who had served with him as "the life and soul of the company". | Cpl Bonner was described by soldiers who had served with him as "the life and soul of the company". |
| Cpl Wayne Cole paid tribute to him as "a colourful character, larger than life and an even bigger friend". | Cpl Wayne Cole paid tribute to him as "a colourful character, larger than life and an even bigger friend". |