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| Marines killed in Helmand named | |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Two Royal Marines killed in an explosion in southern Afghanistan have been named by the Ministry of Defence. | Two Royal Marines killed in an explosion in southern Afghanistan have been named by the Ministry of Defence. |
| Lieutenant John Thornton, 23, and Marine David Marsh, 22, of 40 Commando Royal Marines, died on Sunday on a routine patrol in Helmand province. | |
| It is understood their vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb. | |
| Their deaths bring the number of UK service personnel killed in Afghanistan to 91 - all but five of them in the last two years. | Their deaths bring the number of UK service personnel killed in Afghanistan to 91 - all but five of them in the last two years. |
| Lt Thornton, from Ferndown in Dorset, joined the Royal Marines in 2004 and had previously served in Iraq. | |
| In a statement, his family said his death would leave a "massive gap" in all their lives. | |
| It went on: "He died a hero following his dream and doing the job he loved. He was proud to be making a difference to both the people of Afghanistan, and to all of us back home who value our freedom." | |
| Marine Marsh was originally from Sheffield but had moved to Taunton in Somerset with his wife, Claire, and their daughter. | |
| She said: "David was a loving and dedicated family man. He went through life with a smile on his face, which will continue through our beautiful daughter. | |
| "The Royal Marines was his passion and love, he will always be our hero." |