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| Afghanistan death soldier named | Afghanistan death soldier named |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| A British soldier killed after his patrol came under Taleban fire in Afghanistan on Friday has been named as Private Tony Rawson. | |
| The 27-year-old of the 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, was shot in Jusyalay, north east of Sangin, in Helmand Province. | The 27-year-old of the 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, was shot in Jusyalay, north east of Sangin, in Helmand Province. |
| Pte Rawson lived with his fiancee, who was pregnant and expecting their first child, in Dagenham, east London. | Pte Rawson lived with his fiancee, who was pregnant and expecting their first child, in Dagenham, east London. |
| He joined the Army in 2002 and had previously served in Iraq. | |
| The incident took place shortly before 0600 hours local time as the patrol made its way to check on a local irrigation project. | |
| Pte Rawson was killed and another soldier was injured during the engagement and ensuing firefight, the Ministry of Defence said. | |
| The death brings the total number of UK troops killed while on operations in Afghanistan since 2001 to 69. | |
| 'An inspiration' | |
| The MoD said Pte Rawson gained the nickname 'Nicey' when he joined the battalion because of his nature, friendliness and willingness to go out of his way to do anything for his fellow soldiers. | |
| He was a true Viking who we will never forget Lt Col Stuart Carver | |
| In Iraq, he was part of the Army's All Arms Search Team. | |
| His leadership and organisational ability had been identified and he was selected to attend the Battalion's Junior Non Commissioned Officer cadre. | |
| But he was unable to complete the training after sustaining a knee injury. | |
| Pte Rawson leaves his fiancee, Louise, and her daughter, Caitlin. | |
| Lt Col Stuart Carver, commanding officer of the battalion, said Pte Rawson was "passionate about his job, with a big heart and a generous and trustworthy personality who died courageously in close combat". | |
| "He was a true Viking who we will never forget. Our sympathy and thoughts are with his fiancee, Louise, and his family and friends at this very difficult time." | |
| Defence Secretary Des Browne said: "He and his colleagues were doing important work to support the local population and taking the fight to the enemy. | |
| "His example is an inspiration to us all and his contribution to rebuilding Afghanistan will be remembered with honour." | |
| Sgt Matthew Waters, Platoon Sergeant, 11 Platoon, C (Essex) Company, said Pte Rawson's devotion to his job and friends were second to none. | |
| "I will always remember his ability to motivate the younger soldiers in the platoon and the way he consistently strove for excellence," he said. |