This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-38500127
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
L/Cpl Scott Hetherington: UK soldier died 'in shooting accident' | |
(35 minutes later) | |
A UK soldier's death in Iraq was the result of an accidental shooting, the BBC understands. | |
L/Cpl Scott Hetherington, 22, died at Camp Taji, north of Baghdad, on Monday. | |
L/Cpl Hetherington, from Middleton, Greater Manchester, had only recently become a father to a baby daughter, the Ministry of Defence said. | L/Cpl Hetherington, from Middleton, Greater Manchester, had only recently become a father to a baby daughter, the Ministry of Defence said. |
He served as a vehicle commander with the 2nd Battalion, Duke of Lancaster's Regiment. | He served as a vehicle commander with the 2nd Battalion, Duke of Lancaster's Regiment. |
His commanding officer Lt Col Rob Singleton said: "L/Cpl Scott Hetherington was a superb soldier and a first class leader. | |
'Huge talent' | |
"Utterly professional and talented, he was full of character, fun and his enthusiasm was infectious. | |
"The battalion has lost a huge talent and a real character. He will be missed dearly and we will never forget him. | |
"Our hearts go out to his parents, his siblings, his girlfriend and his young daughter. | |
"They are in all of our thoughts." | |
L/Cpl Hetherington was a member of Blenheim Company and was a vehicle commander in the Force Protection Platoon. | |
He is the first British soldier to die in Iraq in almost eight years. | |
The British army is in Iraq as part of the UK's effort to combat so-called Islamic State militants. | |
About 150 soldiers from the battalion are being deployed to Iraq for six months. | |
They form part of a 500-strong army force being sent to train Iraqi and Kurdish security forces. |