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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Soldier killed in Helmand named | Soldier killed in Helmand named |
| (9 minutes later) | |
| A British soldier killed after stepping on a landmine in southern Afghanistan has been named by defence officials. | A British soldier killed after stepping on a landmine in southern Afghanistan has been named by defence officials. |
| Cpl Damian Lawrence, 25, of the 2nd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment, died on patrol in Helmand province on Sunday, the Ministry of Defence said. | |
| A second soldier was also hurt but his injuries are not life threatening. | A second soldier was also hurt but his injuries are not life threatening. |
| Colleagues described the 25-year-old from Scarborough, North Yorkshire, as "a great comrade, trusted friend and accomplished soldier". | Colleagues described the 25-year-old from Scarborough, North Yorkshire, as "a great comrade, trusted friend and accomplished soldier". |
| The soldiers had been on patrol with 40 Commando Royal Marines near Kajaki just before 0900 local time when the landmine exploded. | The soldiers had been on patrol with 40 Commando Royal Marines near Kajaki just before 0900 local time when the landmine exploded. |
| As an infantry soldier and junior commander, he was formidable Lieutenant Colonel Simon Downey | As an infantry soldier and junior commander, he was formidable Lieutenant Colonel Simon Downey |
| The MoD said they were given medical treatment at the scene and then taken by emergency helicopter to Camp Bastion. | The MoD said they were given medical treatment at the scene and then taken by emergency helicopter to Camp Bastion. |
| Cpl Lawrence had served in Northern Ireland, Kosovo and twice in Afghanistan since joining the army in 1999. | |
| He leaves behind his partner, Eve, and daughter, Jessica. | He leaves behind his partner, Eve, and daughter, Jessica. |
| 'Proud but heartbroken' | 'Proud but heartbroken' |
| Lieutenant Colonel Simon Downey, commanding officer of the 2nd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment, said: "Every way you considered him, Cpl Lawrence was outstanding. | Lieutenant Colonel Simon Downey, commanding officer of the 2nd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment, said: "Every way you considered him, Cpl Lawrence was outstanding. |
| "To his partner Eve and his young daughter Jessica he was a loving partner and doting father. To his battalion, he was a great comrade and an accomplished soldier. | "To his partner Eve and his young daughter Jessica he was a loving partner and doting father. To his battalion, he was a great comrade and an accomplished soldier. |
| "Good company, a trusted friend, warm and blessed with an infectious sense of humour, he could mix with anyone, puncture any ego and lighten any mood. | "Good company, a trusted friend, warm and blessed with an infectious sense of humour, he could mix with anyone, puncture any ego and lighten any mood. |
| "As an infantry soldier and junior commander he was formidable - able, determined, driving on, a man who knew what he wanted and who had a fine career ahead of him." | "As an infantry soldier and junior commander he was formidable - able, determined, driving on, a man who knew what he wanted and who had a fine career ahead of him." |
| His mother, Alison Lawrence, described Cpl Lawrence as "a very special son", whose death had left her "very proud and heartbroken". | His mother, Alison Lawrence, described Cpl Lawrence as "a very special son", whose death had left her "very proud and heartbroken". |
| In a statement addressing his fellow troops in Afghanistan, she said: "I am proud as his mother to say he died doing what he loved. | In a statement addressing his fellow troops in Afghanistan, she said: "I am proud as his mother to say he died doing what he loved. |
| "I still wear my support bracelet and will not remove it until each and every one of you return home where you belong." | "I still wear my support bracelet and will not remove it until each and every one of you return home where you belong." |
| The number killed in operations in Afghanistan since 2001 stands at 88. | The number killed in operations in Afghanistan since 2001 stands at 88. |