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/7031279.stm
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| Dead UK Afghanistan soldier named | Dead UK Afghanistan soldier named |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| A UK soldier killed in Afghanistan is the most senior Army officer to die in the country since the conflict began. | A UK soldier killed in Afghanistan is the most senior Army officer to die in the country since the conflict began. |
| Maj Alexis Roberts, serving with the 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles, was returning to Kandahar Airfield on Thursday when he died in an explosion. | Maj Alexis Roberts, serving with the 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles, was returning to Kandahar Airfield on Thursday when he died in an explosion. |
| The 32-year-old lived in Kent with his wife and two daughters. | The 32-year-old lived in Kent with his wife and two daughters. |
| Prince William said he was "deeply saddened" at the death of Maj Roberts, his platoon commander at Sandhurst, whom he described as "a good friend". | Prince William said he was "deeply saddened" at the death of Maj Roberts, his platoon commander at Sandhurst, whom he described as "a good friend". |
| 'Deeply loving father' | |
| 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. |
| His death has taken the number of British troops killed in Afghanistan since the start of operations in 2001 to 82. | |
| "At this time, his thoughts and prayers are with Lex's wife, Susie, their two young daughters, Alice and Freya, and with all his family and friends," a statement issued by Clarence House said. | |
| Maj Roberts' wife, Susie, said in a statement: "Lex was my best friend, the most wonderful husband and deeply loving father to Alice and Freya. | |
| "He died doing the job he loved and I had just received a letter from him saying how much good he felt he was doing for the people of Afghanistan and how proud he was to be part of the Royal Gurkha Rifles. | |
| "I am overwhelmed by the support from our family and friends and the positive impact Lex had on people's lives." | |
| 'Greatly saddened' | |
| 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 |
| Maj 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 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 Helmand Province when they were hit. | Maj Roberts, and two soldiers who were injured, were taking part in an operation in 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." |