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MoD names latest Afghanistan dead MoD names latest Afghanistan dead
(20 minutes later)
Three British soldiers killed in an explosion in southern Afghanistan on Thursday have been named by the Ministry of Defence.Three British soldiers killed in an explosion in southern Afghanistan on Thursday have been named by the Ministry of Defence.
Capt Mark Hale and Rifleman Daniel Wild, of 2nd Battalion The Rifles, died with Lance Bombardier Matthew Hatton, of 40th Regiment Royal Artillery. Rifleman Daniel Wild, 19, from Hartlepool, and Capt Mark Hale were serving with 2nd Battalion The Rifles.
They were killed while on foot patrol near Sangin in Helmand province. They died alongside Lance Bombardier Matthew Hatton, of 40th Regiment Royal Artillery, while on foot patrol near Sangin in Helmand province.
Their deaths brought the total number of UK armed forces fatalities since the conflict began in 2001 to 199. It brought the number of UK deaths in Afghanistan since 2001 to 199.
'Fearless'
Lt Col Rob Thomson MBE of the Rifles Battlegroup described Rifleman Wild as a "fearless" soldier who died while carrying a wounded friend to safety.
"He has been fearless and his platoon adored him for it.
"He was smaller than most - smaller than everyone, if I am being honest - and when laden appeared to disappear under the extraordinary burden the boys all carry here.
Lance Bombardier Hatton was among the three men killed on Thursday
"But Rifleman Wild carried his load lightly and was in no sense a 'small man'. In a land of metaphorical giants here in Sangin, he was as tall as any of them, perhaps more so."
The three soldiers were serving with the Rifles Battlegroup when they were killed.
UK Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth has described the incident as a "tragedy" which has brought closer the "sad milestone" of 200 deaths.UK Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth has described the incident as a "tragedy" which has brought closer the "sad milestone" of 200 deaths.
The bodies of four British serviceman killed in Afghanistan had been returned to the UK on Thursday morning. The bodies of four British servicemen killed in Afghanistan had been returned to the UK on Thursday morning.