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Killed British soldier is named | Killed British soldier is named |
(40 minutes later) | |
A British soldier killed in southern Afghanistan on Thursday has been named as Guardsman David Atherton, 25, of 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards. | A British soldier killed in southern Afghanistan on Thursday has been named as Guardsman David Atherton, 25, of 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards. |
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said he had been killed after a clash with Taleban fighters in Helmand province. | The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said he had been killed after a clash with Taleban fighters in Helmand province. |
The soldier, from Manchester was shot after his unit secured a bridge. | The soldier, from Manchester was shot after his unit secured a bridge. |
The death brings to 66 the number of UK military personnel who have died since military operations began in Afghanistan in November 2001. | The death brings to 66 the number of UK military personnel who have died since military operations began in Afghanistan in November 2001. |
'Dedicated soldier' | |
Guardsman Atherton leaves behind a girlfriend and a young daughter. | |
In a statement, his family paid tribute to "a professional and dedicated soldier". | |
He was considerate, thoughtful and the light of our life and the world will be a duller place without him Family statement | |
"He loved the Army and it is hard to a imagine him doing anything else," the statement said. | |
"A kind, caring, loving father, son, brother and boyfriend, he was considerate, thoughtful and the light of our life and the world will be a duller place without him." | |
His commanding officer, Lt Col Carew Hatherley, said Guardsman Atherton had given "selfless service" to his nation and had died doing the job he loved. | His commanding officer, Lt Col Carew Hatherley, said Guardsman Atherton had given "selfless service" to his nation and had died doing the job he loved. |
Defence Secretary Des Browne said Guardsman Atherton's "skill and bravery is an example to us all". | |
An MoD statement released before Guardsman Atherton was named said: "After consolidating its position after securing a bridge crossing of the Nahr-e-Seraj canal, the company he was with was pushing west to clear further Taleban positions. | |
"At around 0600 local time, the company came under fire from Taleban fighters, and the soldier was shot. | "At around 0600 local time, the company came under fire from Taleban fighters, and the soldier was shot. |
"An emergency response helicopter was requested but he was pronounced dead at the scene. He was flown to the Isaf medical facility at Camp Bastion." | "An emergency response helicopter was requested but he was pronounced dead at the scene. He was flown to the Isaf medical facility at Camp Bastion." |
Guardsman Atherton's death came a day after L/Cpl Alex Hawkins, of the 1st Battalion of The Royal Anglian Regiment, was killed in Helmand. | Guardsman Atherton's death came a day after L/Cpl Alex Hawkins, of the 1st Battalion of The Royal Anglian Regiment, was killed in Helmand. |
The UK has 7,100 troops in Afghanistan, mainly concentrated in the southern province of Helmand. | The UK has 7,100 troops in Afghanistan, mainly concentrated in the southern province of Helmand. |
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