This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7944901.stm
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Dead British soldier named by MoD | Dead British soldier named by MoD |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| A British soldier killed while on foot patrol in southern Afghanistan has been named by the Ministry of Defence. | A British soldier killed while on foot patrol in southern Afghanistan has been named by the Ministry of Defence. |
| Lance Corporal Christopher Harkett, 22, from The 2nd Battalion, Royal Welsh Regiment, died on Saturday. | Lance Corporal Christopher Harkett, 22, from The 2nd Battalion, Royal Welsh Regiment, died on Saturday. |
| The soldier, from Pontardawe, near Swansea, was injured in an explosion in Musa Qala in northern Helmand, and died later at the scene. | |
| His death means 150 British service personnel have been killed in Afghanistan since operations began. | His death means 150 British service personnel have been killed in Afghanistan since operations began. |
| Major Sid Welham, commanding officer of C Company, 2nd Battalion The Royal Welsh, said: "Lance Corporal Chris 'H' Harkett personified the spirit and character of The Royal Welsh. We find some peace in that he died bravely protecting people of a land that was far from his home Harkett family statement | Major Sid Welham, commanding officer of C Company, 2nd Battalion The Royal Welsh, said: "Lance Corporal Chris 'H' Harkett personified the spirit and character of The Royal Welsh. We find some peace in that he died bravely protecting people of a land that was far from his home Harkett family statement |
| "H was ever smiling and always motivated whatever the situation. At the heart of his platoon, he was essential to their high morale." | "H was ever smiling and always motivated whatever the situation. At the heart of his platoon, he was essential to their high morale." |
| L/Cpl Harkett was trained at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate and subsequently at Catterick before joining the battalion in March 2004 in Paderborn, Germany. | L/Cpl Harkett was trained at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate and subsequently at Catterick before joining the battalion in March 2004 in Paderborn, Germany. |
| He trained as a medic, a gunner and a signaller and the Army said he had a bright future, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather. | He trained as a medic, a gunner and a signaller and the Army said he had a bright future, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather. |
| Short life | Short life |
| A statement from his family said: "Although he has been taken from us at a young age, he lived life to the full. | A statement from his family said: "Although he has been taken from us at a young age, he lived life to the full. |
| "Our hearts are empty at this moment but we find some peace in that he died bravely protecting people of a land that was far from his home. | "Our hearts are empty at this moment but we find some peace in that he died bravely protecting people of a land that was far from his home. |
| He leaves behind a beautiful and loving wife and a younger brother who adored him." | He leaves behind a beautiful and loving wife and a younger brother who adored him." |
| His wife Danielle said: "I cannot begin to describe the pain and hurt I feel knowing I will not be with you again. | His wife Danielle said: "I cannot begin to describe the pain and hurt I feel knowing I will not be with you again. |
| "I only have the memories of our short life together, but I'm grateful that I had the privilege and honour to be your wife. " | "I only have the memories of our short life together, but I'm grateful that I had the privilege and honour to be your wife. " |
| Afghan war 'will shape century'Afghan attack kills Nato soldiers | Afghan war 'will shape century'Afghan attack kills Nato soldiers |
| On Sunday Defence Secretary John Hutton said the Afghanistan war was a "fundamentally important" one which would "define much of the politics of the 21st century". | On Sunday Defence Secretary John Hutton said the Afghanistan war was a "fundamentally important" one which would "define much of the politics of the 21st century". |
| He said UK troops, whom he paid tribute to, were in Afghanistan "first and foremost to tackle fundamental extremism which is a risk to the security of our citizens and our country". | He said UK troops, whom he paid tribute to, were in Afghanistan "first and foremost to tackle fundamental extremism which is a risk to the security of our citizens and our country". |
| Troops were seeking to build up credible and determined Afghan security forces, he added. | Troops were seeking to build up credible and determined Afghan security forces, he added. |
| He said Nato's European members had to do more and not expect the US to do all the "heavy lifting". | He said Nato's European members had to do more and not expect the US to do all the "heavy lifting". |
| His comments, which come ahead of a meeting with his US counterpart this week, follow the death of four soldiers from the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force in an explosion in the province of Nangarhar, in eastern Afghanistan. | His comments, which come ahead of a meeting with his US counterpart this week, follow the death of four soldiers from the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force in an explosion in the province of Nangarhar, in eastern Afghanistan. |
| The alliance does not disclose the nationalities of its casualties but most troops in that part of the country are from the US military. | The alliance does not disclose the nationalities of its casualties but most troops in that part of the country are from the US military. |
| More than 60 foreign soldiers have now been killed in Afghanistan this year. | More than 60 foreign soldiers have now been killed in Afghanistan this year. |