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| Soldier 'had Olympics ambition' | Soldier 'had Olympics ambition' |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| A British soldier killed in southern Afghanistan has been remembered as an aspiring Olympic athlete. | A British soldier killed in southern Afghanistan has been remembered as an aspiring Olympic athlete. |
| Officials named the soldier as Trooper Christopher Whiteside, 20, of the Light Dragoons, who died in an explosion near Gereshk, Helmand Province, on Tuesday, | Officials named the soldier as Trooper Christopher Whiteside, 20, of the Light Dragoons, who died in an explosion near Gereshk, Helmand Province, on Tuesday, |
| The talented fencer, originally from Blackpool, had hoped to compete at the 2012 Olympics, colleagues said. | The talented fencer, originally from Blackpool, had hoped to compete at the 2012 Olympics, colleagues said. |
| He was the seventh UK soldier to die in a week, bringing the total killed in operations in Afghanistan to 176. | He was the seventh UK soldier to die in a week, bringing the total killed in operations in Afghanistan to 176. |
| Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth has said more will die before the operation, launched in 2001, is over. | Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth has said more will die before the operation, launched in 2001, is over. |
| 'Never found wanting' | 'Never found wanting' |
| Trooper Whiteside's commanding officer described him as "fit, robust and determined". | Trooper Whiteside's commanding officer described him as "fit, robust and determined". |
| Lieutenant Colonel Gus Fair said: "Trooper Whiteside had only been in the regiment for a short time, but had established a reputation as an excellent soldier." | Lieutenant Colonel Gus Fair said: "Trooper Whiteside had only been in the regiment for a short time, but had established a reputation as an excellent soldier." |
| He will be remembered as a soldier at the top of his profession, who gave his all for his friends, and who has been cruelly taken from us Lt Col Gus Fair | He will be remembered as a soldier at the top of his profession, who gave his all for his friends, and who has been cruelly taken from us Lt Col Gus Fair |
| "He had been tested in some of the most intense fighting ever experienced in Afghanistan for four days prior to his death and had never been found wanting. | "He had been tested in some of the most intense fighting ever experienced in Afghanistan for four days prior to his death and had never been found wanting. |
| "As part of the Fire Support Group, he had led 3rd Platoon from the front all day during fighting in the heat and demanding terrain. | "As part of the Fire Support Group, he had led 3rd Platoon from the front all day during fighting in the heat and demanding terrain. |
| "He will be remembered as a soldier at the top of his profession, who gave his all for his friends, and who has been cruelly taken from us." | "He will be remembered as a soldier at the top of his profession, who gave his all for his friends, and who has been cruelly taken from us." |
| Trooper Whiteside, known as "Norm" to his friends, had hoped to begin training for a possible place in the GB fencing team for the Olympics in London on his return from Afghanistan. | Trooper Whiteside, known as "Norm" to his friends, had hoped to begin training for a possible place in the GB fencing team for the Olympics in London on his return from Afghanistan. |
| 'Gentle soul' | 'Gentle soul' |
| His friends in the Light Dragoons remembered him demonstrating his fencing skills with a broomstick at a squadron barbecue. | His friends in the Light Dragoons remembered him demonstrating his fencing skills with a broomstick at a squadron barbecue. |
| One of them, Trooper Stephen Crossman, said: "He was a quiet and gentle soul and was liked by all who knew him." | One of them, Trooper Stephen Crossman, said: "He was a quiet and gentle soul and was liked by all who knew him." |
| The Light Dragoons, based at Swanton Morley in Norfolk, are among 700 British troops taking part in the Panther's Claw operation, launched two weeks ago in Helmand. | The Light Dragoons, based at Swanton Morley in Norfolk, are among 700 British troops taking part in the Panther's Claw operation, launched two weeks ago in Helmand. |
| A much larger offensive in the province is being fought by about 4,000 US and 650 Afghan troops. | A much larger offensive in the province is being fought by about 4,000 US and 650 Afghan troops. |
| The joint campaign is designed to drive the Taliban out of the region and make it safe for presidential elections due next month. | The joint campaign is designed to drive the Taliban out of the region and make it safe for presidential elections due next month. |
| Trooper Whiteside leaves behind his mother, Diane, her partner, Malcolm, and younger brother Dan. | Trooper Whiteside leaves behind his mother, Diane, her partner, Malcolm, and younger brother Dan. |
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| Trooper Whiteside's commanding officer says he was an outstanding soldier |