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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Tributes to dead British soldier | Tributes to dead British soldier |
| (1 day later) | |
| A British soldier killed in a blast in southern Afghanistan has been described as a "devoted father" by his widow. | A British soldier killed in a blast in southern Afghanistan has been described as a "devoted father" by his widow. |
| Maj Sean Birchall, of 1st Battalion Welsh Guards died while on a routine patrol near Lashkar Gah in Helmand province, said the Ministry of Defence. | |
| His wife Joanna said the 33-year-old was a loving father to 18-month-old son Charlie and a "wonderful husband". | His wife Joanna said the 33-year-old was a loving father to 18-month-old son Charlie and a "wonderful husband". |
| His death takes the number of British service personnel killed in Afghanistan since October 2001 to 169. | His death takes the number of British service personnel killed in Afghanistan since October 2001 to 169. |
| Another soldier was also injured in the explosion, which was caused by an improvised explosive device as Maj Birchall led a patrol of three armoured vehicles between checkpoints in Basharan. | |
| He was an inspiration to all who knew him Joanna Birchall | He was an inspiration to all who knew him Joanna Birchall |
| Mrs Birchall said: "Sean was a wonderful husband, a doting father and a much-loved son and brother, who cared deeply for his family and friends. | Mrs Birchall said: "Sean was a wonderful husband, a doting father and a much-loved son and brother, who cared deeply for his family and friends. |
| "It is the excellence he achieved in every facet of his life that defined Sean. | "It is the excellence he achieved in every facet of his life that defined Sean. |
| "An athlete, an adventurer and an instinctive leader, he was an inspiration to all who knew him. | "An athlete, an adventurer and an instinctive leader, he was an inspiration to all who knew him. |
| "He leaves behind his adoring family, the regiment he loved, and his loyal friends. They will miss him terribly." | "He leaves behind his adoring family, the regiment he loved, and his loyal friends. They will miss him terribly." |
| Maj Birchall was born in South Africa but moved to the UK as a baby and grew up in Guildford, Surrey. | Maj Birchall was born in South Africa but moved to the UK as a baby and grew up in Guildford, Surrey. |
| 'Led from front' | 'Led from front' |
| He attended the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst where, his commanding officer said, he was marked out as a future star. | He attended the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst where, his commanding officer said, he was marked out as a future star. |
| "Sean had all the qualities of the outstanding professional soldier - fitness, coolness under pressure and tactical flair," said Lt Col Rupert Thornloe. | |
| "His character was defined by his tremendous and infectious enthusiasm - I do not think he had a negative bone in his body. | "His character was defined by his tremendous and infectious enthusiasm - I do not think he had a negative bone in his body. |
| "Those under his command greatly admired his military competence and his legendary physical fitness and they warmed to his cheerful, upbeat manner. | "Those under his command greatly admired his military competence and his legendary physical fitness and they warmed to his cheerful, upbeat manner. |
| "Sean always led from the front and his soldiers would have followed him anywhere." | "Sean always led from the front and his soldiers would have followed him anywhere." |
| Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth said he was deeply saddened to hear the news and his thoughts were with Maj Birchall's relatives, friends and colleagues. | Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth said he was deeply saddened to hear the news and his thoughts were with Maj Birchall's relatives, friends and colleagues. |