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Soldiers killed in Helmand named | Soldiers killed in Helmand named |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Two British soldiers killed in a road accident in southern Afghanistan on Thursday have been named. | Two British soldiers killed in a road accident in southern Afghanistan on Thursday have been named. |
Colour Sgt Phillip Newman and Pte Brian Tunnicliffe were serving in Helmand province with the 2nd Battalion The Mercian Regiment. | |
Their 4x4 vehicle overturned and landed on its roof in an irrigation channel. | Their 4x4 vehicle overturned and landed on its roof in an irrigation channel. |
Colleagues have paid tribute to Colour Sgt Newman, 36, an "outstanding model" for today's Territorial Army, and the "big-hearted" Pte Tunnicliffe, 33. | |
Family man | |
Colour Sgt Newman joined the TA in Coventry 13 years ago and has since served in Iraq and Afghanistan. | |
He became a mainstay of his battalion, the 4th Battalion The Mercian Regiment. | |
His commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Ivan Yardley, said: "Phillip touched many people's lives, here and abroad; he personified all that was good in a soldier, he led from the front and protected those who could not protect themselves." | |
He was a dedicated family man who took great pride in his three children's achievements and was devoted to Stephanie, his wife. | |
Pte Tunnicliffe, from Ilkeston, joined the 2nd Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Worcesters and Foresters) 10 years ago and has been deployed to Bosnia, Northern Ireland, Belize and Kenya. | |
His commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Simon Banton, said Pte Tunnicliffe would always go the extra mile. | |
I commend their comrades for continuing the fight Des Browne, Defence Secretary | |
"Private Tunnicliffe reflected the archetypal county infantryman, fiercely loyal to his regiment and his friends," he said. | |
"A truly big-hearted Ilkeston man through and through. Our lives are darker now that his bright light has gone out." | |
Defence Secretary Des Browne described both as dedicated, professional soldiers. | |
"Their loss strengthens our resolve to continue with our mission in Afghanistan and I commend their comrades for continuing the fight at what must be a difficult time for them," he said. | |
The latest deaths mean six soldiers from the newly-formed 2nd Battalion The Mercian Regiment have died in Afghanistan this month. | The latest deaths mean six soldiers from the newly-formed 2nd Battalion The Mercian Regiment have died in Afghanistan this month. |
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