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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Army releases dead soldier's name | |
| (about 14 hours later) | |
| The soldier killed during an assault on a Taleban stronghold in Afghanistan has been named as Sergeant Lee Johnson by the Ministry of Defence. | The soldier killed during an assault on a Taleban stronghold in Afghanistan has been named as Sergeant Lee Johnson by the Ministry of Defence. |
| Sgt Johnson, 33, serving with the 2nd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment, was killed when an explosion hit his vehicle near Musa Qala, Helmand. | Sgt Johnson, 33, serving with the 2nd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment, was killed when an explosion hit his vehicle near Musa Qala, Helmand. |
| Another soldier was seriously injured in the blast, probably caused by a mine, on 8 December. | Another soldier was seriously injured in the blast, probably caused by a mine, on 8 December. |
| His commanding officer paid tribute to him as "one of life's great gems". | His commanding officer paid tribute to him as "one of life's great gems". |
| Young family | Young family |
| Sgt Johnson was a member of the Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team, involved with training the Afghan National Army. | Sgt Johnson was a member of the Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team, involved with training the Afghan National Army. |
| His brother also serves in the battalion. | His brother also serves in the battalion. |
| He was engaged to marry his fiancee Lisa on 1 August, and had a son, Ashley, and two-year-old daughter, Lilly Rose. | He was engaged to marry his fiancee Lisa on 1 August, and had a son, Ashley, and two-year-old daughter, Lilly Rose. |
| In a statement via the Ministry of Defence, Lisa said: "He told me his leave was cancelled earlier this month but I knew he had offered to stay and take part in this operation against the Taleban. | In a statement via the Ministry of Defence, Lisa said: "He told me his leave was cancelled earlier this month but I knew he had offered to stay and take part in this operation against the Taleban. |
| "That's what made him the soldier he was, dedicated, professional and always in the thick of it." | "That's what made him the soldier he was, dedicated, professional and always in the thick of it." |
| She also said: "He was a soldier first and a father and fiance second. He loved his job, it's all he talked about. I didn't mind though, it's part of the reason I loved him. " | She also said: "He was a soldier first and a father and fiance second. He loved his job, it's all he talked about. I didn't mind though, it's part of the reason I loved him. " |
| And Sgt Johnson's sister, Cassandra, said his family regarded him as a "hero". | And Sgt Johnson's sister, Cassandra, said his family regarded him as a "hero". |
| She said: "We are just glad that his brother Don is with him and can bring him home to us." | |
| 'Great style' | 'Great style' |
| Commanding officer Lt Col Simon Downey said of Sgt Johnson: "It was typical that he died taking charge of a difficult situation and driving it on. | Commanding officer Lt Col Simon Downey said of Sgt Johnson: "It was typical that he died taking charge of a difficult situation and driving it on. |
| "Wherever he went, whatever he did, he made a difference, and always with that great style of his. | "Wherever he went, whatever he did, he made a difference, and always with that great style of his. |
| "His loss robs the battalion he loved of one of its great lights, a comrade regarded with tremendous affection and respect; but he, of all of us, would not have had us falter." | "His loss robs the battalion he loved of one of its great lights, a comrade regarded with tremendous affection and respect; but he, of all of us, would not have had us falter." |
| Defence Secretary Des Browne, who is currently in Afghanistan, said he was a "respected, dedicated professional who brought enthusiasm and humour to his work." | Defence Secretary Des Browne, who is currently in Afghanistan, said he was a "respected, dedicated professional who brought enthusiasm and humour to his work." |
| Sgt Johnson was born in Stockton-on-Tees, and began basic training as a 16-year-old. | Sgt Johnson was born in Stockton-on-Tees, and began basic training as a 16-year-old. |
| He had postings in Canada, Germany and Belize, as well as serving in Northern Ireland, the former Yugoslavia, and two tours in Afghanistan. | He had postings in Canada, Germany and Belize, as well as serving in Northern Ireland, the former Yugoslavia, and two tours in Afghanistan. |
| The Ministry of Defence said he was an accomplished sportsman, representing the battalion at boxing and the Army at judo. | The Ministry of Defence said he was an accomplished sportsman, representing the battalion at boxing and the Army at judo. |
| His death brings the number of UK forces fatalities in Afghanistan to 86 since October 2001. | His death brings the number of UK forces fatalities in Afghanistan to 86 since October 2001. |