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| Dead UK Afghanistan soldier named | Dead UK Afghanistan soldier named |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| A British soldier killed in an explosion in southern Afghanistan has been named as Major Alexis Roberts. | A British soldier killed in an explosion in southern Afghanistan has been named as Major Alexis Roberts. |
| The soldier, serving with the 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles, was returning to Kandahar Airfield on Thursday when the blast happened. | The soldier, serving with the 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles, was returning to Kandahar Airfield on Thursday when the blast happened. |
| Maj Roberts, 32, lived in Kent with his wife and two daughters. | Maj Roberts, 32, lived in Kent with his wife and two daughters. |
| His death has taken the number of British troops killed in Afghanistan since the start of operations in 2001 to 82. | |
| It is the first death in the conflict of a soldier serving with the Gurkhas. | It is the first death in the conflict of a soldier serving with the Gurkhas. |
| Prince William said he was "deeply saddened" at the death of Maj Alexis Roberts, his platoon commander at Sandhurst, whom he described as "a good friend". | |
| Defence Secretary Des Browne said: "I was greatly saddened by the news of Major Roberts' tragic death. | Defence Secretary Des Browne said: "I was greatly saddened by the news of Major Roberts' tragic death. |
| "He was an extremely experienced officer and who was, quite obviously, held in high regard by his superiors, peers and those who worked for him. | "He was an extremely experienced officer and who was, quite obviously, held in high regard by his superiors, peers and those who worked for him. |
| "My heart goes out to his family and friends as they come to terms with their loss." | "My heart goes out to his family and friends as they come to terms with their loss." |
| The British Army has lost one of its finest prospects and the nation has lost a dedicated servant Lt Col Jonny Bourne MBE | The British Army has lost one of its finest prospects and the nation has lost a dedicated servant Lt Col Jonny Bourne MBE |
| Major Roberts was usually an Officer of 2nd Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles, although he had been serving in Afghanistan with The 1st Battalion when he was killed. | Major Roberts was usually an Officer of 2nd Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles, although he had been serving in Afghanistan with The 1st Battalion when he was killed. |
| Maj Roberts, and two soldiers who were injured, were taking part in an operation in nearby Helmand Province when they were hit. | Maj Roberts, and two soldiers who were injured, were taking part in an operation in nearby Helmand Province when they were hit. |
| Lieutenant Colonel Jonny Bourne MBE, Commanding Officer 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles, paid tribute to the soldier. | Lieutenant Colonel Jonny Bourne MBE, Commanding Officer 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles, paid tribute to the soldier. |
| He said: "In Major Lex Roberts, both battalions of the Royal Gurkha Rifles have lost a dear friend and a treasured officer. | He said: "In Major Lex Roberts, both battalions of the Royal Gurkha Rifles have lost a dear friend and a treasured officer. |
| "The British Army has lost one of its finest prospects and the nation has lost a dedicated servant, a demonstrably warm-hearted man of profound integrity and courage - quite simply, a very special human being." | "The British Army has lost one of its finest prospects and the nation has lost a dedicated servant, a demonstrably warm-hearted man of profound integrity and courage - quite simply, a very special human being." |