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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Marine killed in Helmand is named | Marine killed in Helmand is named |
| (about 14 hours later) | |
| A Royal Marine who was killed in Afghanistan on Christmas Eve has been named as L/Cpl Benjamin Whatley by the Ministry of Defence. | A Royal Marine who was killed in Afghanistan on Christmas Eve has been named as L/Cpl Benjamin Whatley by the Ministry of Defence. |
| The marine, from 42 Commando, died from enemy fire in the Nad-e-Ali district near Lashkar Gah in Helmand province. | The marine, from 42 Commando, died from enemy fire in the Nad-e-Ali district near Lashkar Gah in Helmand province. |
| L/Cpl Whatley, 20, from King's Lynn, in Norfolk, was described as "a vibrant, happy person" by his family. | |
| Some 136 UK troops have been killed in Afghanistan since 2001, including 11 Royal Marines in the past two months. | Some 136 UK troops have been killed in Afghanistan since 2001, including 11 Royal Marines in the past two months. |
| L/Cpl Whatley was killed in a fierce and prolonged battle while leading his men into action, the MoD said. | L/Cpl Whatley was killed in a fierce and prolonged battle while leading his men into action, the MoD said. |
| A statement released by his family said: "Ben was a vibrant, happy person who had an unbridled enthusiasm for life. He was so proud to be a Royal Marine. His death creates an irreplaceable loss for all his family and friends." | A statement released by his family said: "Ben was a vibrant, happy person who had an unbridled enthusiasm for life. He was so proud to be a Royal Marine. His death creates an irreplaceable loss for all his family and friends." |
| 'Strength of friendship' | 'Strength of friendship' |
| Later his parents, Sam, 54, and Teresa Whatley, 52, said their Christmas had been put on hold while their son was away. | |
| "We would have had a turkey meal with crackers and poppers once he was home," Mrs Whatley said. | |
| "You never stop worrying when your son is away on a tour. You are on edge for seven months because you never know if you are going to get a phone call or a visit to say something has happened. | |
| "Now we have had that visit which we were dreading." | |
| Major Paul Shergold: 'Our thoughts are with his family' | Major Paul Shergold: 'Our thoughts are with his family' |
| She added: "He lived every day as if it was his last and always made the best out of every situation. | |
| "He packed more into his 20 years than most people do in 60 years." | |
| Major Paul Shergold from L/Cpl's barracks at Bickleigh near Plymouth, said: "It's particularly difficult to lose a Royal Marine but on Christmas Eve it has a poignant tone to it. | |
| "Our thoughts are with his family and friends and all of the families who have got loved-ones serving abroad." | "Our thoughts are with his family and friends and all of the families who have got loved-ones serving abroad." |
| His commanding officer Lt Col Charlie Stickland, said: "Another 'Smiley Boy' from 42 Commando lost whilst doing the job he loved, in an environment in which he excelled and surrounded by his mates. | His commanding officer Lt Col Charlie Stickland, said: "Another 'Smiley Boy' from 42 Commando lost whilst doing the job he loved, in an environment in which he excelled and surrounded by his mates. |
| "His loss has rocked the entire Commando, particularly the tight and combat hardened band of warriors that are 'Lightening' Lima Company. | "His loss has rocked the entire Commando, particularly the tight and combat hardened band of warriors that are 'Lightening' Lima Company. |
| "L/Cpl Ben Whatley sat at the heart of a group of comrades bound together through rugged shared experiences, with strength of friendship that many cannot understand. | "L/Cpl Ben Whatley sat at the heart of a group of comrades bound together through rugged shared experiences, with strength of friendship that many cannot understand. |
| "He had truly earned his Lance Corporal's stripe and had so much more to give. All he served with knew him as a 'proper bootneck' and an uncompromising friend." | "He had truly earned his Lance Corporal's stripe and had so much more to give. All he served with knew him as a 'proper bootneck' and an uncompromising friend." |