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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Lance Corporal Ali Woodford killed on parachute exercise | Lance Corporal Ali Woodford killed on parachute exercise |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| A British soldier from 1st Battalion The Rifles died while taking part in a parachute training expedition, the Army has said. | A British soldier from 1st Battalion The Rifles died while taking part in a parachute training expedition, the Army has said. |
| L/Cpl Ali Woodford, 26, based at Beachley Barracks in Gloucestershire, had earlier served in Afghanistan as a heavy machine gun operator. | L/Cpl Ali Woodford, 26, based at Beachley Barracks in Gloucestershire, had earlier served in Afghanistan as a heavy machine gun operator. |
| He died on 29 September in Sennelager, Germany, the Army confirmed. | |
| L/Cpl Woodford, from Hackney, was married to Samantha and had a three-year-old son, Oscar John. | L/Cpl Woodford, from Hackney, was married to Samantha and had a three-year-old son, Oscar John. |
| 'Excelled in all areas' | 'Excelled in all areas' |
| The Army said it is investigating the incident and declined to comment further. | |
| "Our thoughts are with L/Cpl Woodford's family at this time," a spokesman said. | |
| Lt Col Charlie Grist, Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion The Rifles, described L/Cpl Woodford as "a leader with presence and drive". | Lt Col Charlie Grist, Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion The Rifles, described L/Cpl Woodford as "a leader with presence and drive". |
| Col Grist said the effort L/Cpl Woodford put in on his promotion course has "entered into battalion legend" and that taking up the challenge of parachuting was "typical" of him always being "first to volunteer for a testing task". | |
| Capt Steve Tisbury, Commanding Officer, Motor Transport Platoon, said he "instantly stood out as highly capable". | Capt Steve Tisbury, Commanding Officer, Motor Transport Platoon, said he "instantly stood out as highly capable". |
| Sjt Fry, Platoon Serjeant, Motor Transport Platoon, said L/Cpl Woodford "excelled in all areas he was employed in" and had recently attended a Defence Driving Licence Acquisition Instructor course, becoming the only driving instructor within 1 Rifles. | Sjt Fry, Platoon Serjeant, Motor Transport Platoon, said L/Cpl Woodford "excelled in all areas he was employed in" and had recently attended a Defence Driving Licence Acquisition Instructor course, becoming the only driving instructor within 1 Rifles. |