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MoD names six fallen UK soldiers MoD names six fallen UK soldiers
(about 1 hour later)
Six soldiers killed in Afghanistan on Friday have been named, as ministers came out to defend UK policy after losing 15 men in just 10 days.Six soldiers killed in Afghanistan on Friday have been named, as ministers came out to defend UK policy after losing 15 men in just 10 days.
Five members of the County Down-based 2nd Battalion The Rifles died in two explosions near Sangin, Helmand.Five members of the County Down-based 2nd Battalion The Rifles died in two explosions near Sangin, Helmand.
They were: Cpl Jonathan Horne, and Riflemen Joseph Murphy, Daniel Simpson, William Aldridge and James Backhouse.They were: Cpl Jonathan Horne, and Riflemen Joseph Murphy, Daniel Simpson, William Aldridge and James Backhouse.
A 2nd Royal Tank Regiment corporal killed in an explosion near Nad Ali was named as Lee Scott, 26, from Norfolk.A 2nd Royal Tank Regiment corporal killed in an explosion near Nad Ali was named as Lee Scott, 26, from Norfolk.
Lt Col Robert Thomson, commanding officer of 2 Rifles, said it had been a "grim day" in Sangin as they honoured their dead - three of them aged 18. Four more Nato soldiers, all of them American, were killed by roadside bombs in southern Afghanistan on Saturday.
"We all knew that each one of those Riflemen would have wanted us to 'crack on'. Lt Col Robert Thomson, commanding officer of 2 Rifles, said it had been a "grim day" in Sangin as they honoured their dead.
We are profoundly grateful for the sacrifices your brave soldiers make for us Helmand Governor Gulab Managal British fatalities in Afghanistan Afghanistan: Key facts and figures
Three were aged just 18 - matching the number previously killed at that age during almost eight years of conflict in Afghanistan.
Col Thomson said: "We all knew that each one of those riflemen would have wanted us to 'crack on'.
"And that is what we shall do - there will be no turning; the work is too important."And that is what we shall do - there will be no turning; the work is too important.
We are profoundly grateful for the sacrifices your brave soldiers make for us Helmand Governor Gulab Managal
"They lived and fought alongside us and tonight our lives are much worse for them not being here. But we can celebrate what they were and what they achieved. We are so very proud of them.""They lived and fought alongside us and tonight our lives are much worse for them not being here. But we can celebrate what they were and what they achieved. We are so very proud of them."
Cpl Horne, 28, from Walsall, West Midlands, had been in the army since 2004. He leaves a wife, Rachel and two children Frankie and Jessica. Flowers have been left at the entrance to Abercorn Barracks, in Ballykinler, where the riflemen were based.
Rifleman Murphy, 18, from Castle Bromwich, Birmingham, had been carrying wounded "battle-buddy" Rifleman Simpson to safety when killed by a makeshift bomb, the Ministry of Defence said.Rifleman Murphy, 18, from Castle Bromwich, Birmingham, had been carrying wounded "battle-buddy" Rifleman Simpson to safety when killed by a makeshift bomb, the Ministry of Defence said.
'Sorrow''Sorrow'
Rifleman Simpson, 20, from Croydon, south London, also died in the explosion. He had an eight-month-old son, Alfie.Rifleman Simpson, 20, from Croydon, south London, also died in the explosion. He had an eight-month-old son, Alfie.
The two remaining victims were also 18. Rifleman Aldridge, from Bromyard, Herefordshire, was one of the youngest soldiers deployed in Helmand, having come of age on 23 May. Capt Edward Poynter described Rifleman Murphy as a keen Aston Villa fan and "the joker of the company".
"He gave his life while trying to save that of his fellow rifleman," he added.
Capt Poynter described Rifleman Simpson as the "lynchpin of 9 Platoon".
"A big man, he was always ready to help his fellow Riflemen. He could carry the weight of 10 men and often did."
Cpl Horne, 28, from Walsall, West Midlands, had been in the army since 2004. He leaves a wife, Rachel and two children Frankie and Jessica.
Ministers have rejected claims that troops are ill-equipped
Col Thomson described him as selfless, capable and a "natural field soldier who relished the challenge of preparing for the intensity and complexity of operations in Afghanistan".
The battalion's two remaining victims were also 18. Rifleman Aldridge, from Bromyard, Herefordshire, was one of the youngest soldiers deployed in Helmand, having come of age on 23 May.
Rifleman Backhouse, from Castleford, west Yorkshire, was just a few months older.Rifleman Backhouse, from Castleford, west Yorkshire, was just a few months older.
Commanding officer of C Company, Maj Alistair Field, said Rifleman Aldridge had come to his aid when they were both hurt in the first explosion.
"We were both injured and in shock together but he comforted me with his patience and kind words," said Maj Field.
"Sadly his life was snatched by another explosion."
Rifleman Backhouse, said Maj Field, could always be relied on and was quick to volunteer for any task.
'Instinctive soldier'
Cpl Scott, from King's Lynn, had died hours earlier while leading his section of Viking armoured vehicles.
He leaves a wife, Nikki, four-year-old son Kai and eight-month-old daughter Brooke.
His squadron leader, Maj Charlie Burbridge, described him as an "instinctive soldier" with a "keen and canny tactical brain".
"He was charismatic, inspirational and hugely popular with everyone in my squadron," he added.
Governor of Helmand Province Gulab Managal offered condolences to the soldiers' families on behalf of the people of Helmand.Governor of Helmand Province Gulab Managal offered condolences to the soldiers' families on behalf of the people of Helmand.
He said: "Your sorrow is our sorrow.He said: "Your sorrow is our sorrow.
"We are profoundly grateful for the sacrifices your brave soldiers make for us because we know that they fight to give us, and our children, a future free of tyranny and fear."We are profoundly grateful for the sacrifices your brave soldiers make for us because we know that they fight to give us, and our children, a future free of tyranny and fear.
"They did not die in vain. It is a debt we will never forget." "They did not die in vain."
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has insisted the mission is showing "signs of success", as the government rebuffs claims troops have been left ill-equipped and short of manpower.Prime Minister Gordon Brown has insisted the mission is showing "signs of success", as the government rebuffs claims troops have been left ill-equipped and short of manpower.
Former Tory defence secretary Lord King had suggested there was a "critical shortage" of helicopters in Helmand Former Tory defence secretary Lord King had suggested there was a "critical shortage" of helicopters in Helmand.