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Funeral for Afghanistan air crash soldier Oliver Thomas | Funeral for Afghanistan air crash soldier Oliver Thomas |
(about 7 hours later) | |
The funeral is taking place for one of two Welsh soldiers killed in a helicopter accident in Afghanistan. | |
Lance Corporal Oliver Thomas, 26, from Brecon, was one of five servicemen who died in the crash on a routine flight in Kandahar province on 26 April. | Lance Corporal Oliver Thomas, 26, from Brecon, was one of five servicemen who died in the crash on a routine flight in Kandahar province on 26 April. |
His commanding officer said the reservist was a "young, enthusiastic and highly capable" soldier. | His commanding officer said the reservist was a "young, enthusiastic and highly capable" soldier. |
A private funeral is being held in Hereford on Friday with a thanksgiving service in Kington on Saturday. | A private funeral is being held in Hereford on Friday with a thanksgiving service in Kington on Saturday. |
The Lynx helicopter went down in the Takhta Pul district of Kandahar, some 30 miles from the Pakistan border. | The Lynx helicopter went down in the Takhta Pul district of Kandahar, some 30 miles from the Pakistan border. |
Intelligence Corps | Intelligence Corps |
An investigation is continuing into the accident, which the Ministry of Defence said happened during "a routine flight". | An investigation is continuing into the accident, which the Ministry of Defence said happened during "a routine flight". |
Captain Thomas Clarke from Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan, Warrant Officer Class 2 Spencer Faulkner and Cpl James Walters from the Army Air Corps also died, along with RAF intelligence officer Flt Lt Rakesh Chauhan. | |
L/Cpl Thomas, who worked as a researcher for Brecon and Radnorshire MP Roger Williams, joined the Army reserves in 2011 and was serving in the Intelligence Corps. | L/Cpl Thomas, who worked as a researcher for Brecon and Radnorshire MP Roger Williams, joined the Army reserves in 2011 and was serving in the Intelligence Corps. |
He had been given special leave from his job with the Liberal Democrat MP to serve in Afghanistan. | He had been given special leave from his job with the Liberal Democrat MP to serve in Afghanistan. |
Mr Williams paid tribute following his death, saying: "We were all so proud of him when he first joined the Army reserves. | Mr Williams paid tribute following his death, saying: "We were all so proud of him when he first joined the Army reserves. |
"His integrity and strength of character made him a perfect ambassador for our country." | "His integrity and strength of character made him a perfect ambassador for our country." |
Gary House, head teacher of Lady Hawkins School in Kington, Herefordshire where L/Cpl Thomas was a former head boy, said: "We're very much a family as a school and we feel the loss really deeply." | Gary House, head teacher of Lady Hawkins School in Kington, Herefordshire where L/Cpl Thomas was a former head boy, said: "We're very much a family as a school and we feel the loss really deeply." |
A memorial service will be held at St Mary's Church, Kington, at 13:00 BST on Saturday. | A memorial service will be held at St Mary's Church, Kington, at 13:00 BST on Saturday. |
The funeral of Captain Clarke is to take place on Monday. |
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