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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| MoD names latest Afghanistan dead | MoD names latest Afghanistan dead |
| (30 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. |
| Rifleman Daniel Wild, 19, from Hartlepool, and Capt Mark Hale were serving with 2nd Battalion The Rifles. | Rifleman Daniel Wild, 19, from Hartlepool, and Capt Mark Hale were serving with 2nd Battalion The Rifles. |
| Lance Bombardier Matthew Hatton, 23, of 40 Regiment Royal Artillery, from Easingwold, North Yorkshire, also died. | |
| Their deaths, on foot patrol near Sangin, Helmand, brought the number of UK fatalities in Afghanistan to 199. | Their deaths, on foot patrol near Sangin, Helmand, brought the number of UK fatalities in Afghanistan to 199. |
| July's death toll of 22 was the highest since the conflict began in October 2001. | July's death toll of 22 was the highest since the conflict began in October 2001. |
| Eight UK personnel have been killed this month as troops aim to shore up security ahead of Afghan elections on August 20. | Eight UK personnel have been killed this month as troops aim to shore up security ahead of Afghan elections on August 20. |
| 'Fearless' | '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. | 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 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. | "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. |
| "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." | "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." |
| Lance Bombardier Hatton had wanted to be a soldier from a young age | Lance Bombardier Hatton had wanted to be a soldier from a young age |
| In a family statement, the parents of Lance Bombardier Hatton - Jill and Philip - said he had wanted to be a soldier from a young age. | In a family statement, the parents of Lance Bombardier Hatton - Jill and Philip - said he had wanted to be a soldier from a young age. |
| "He passionately enjoyed his job and often talked fondly about his colleagues and friends," it read. | "He passionately enjoyed his job and often talked fondly about his colleagues and friends," it read. |
| "He was very brave and a credit to both us and the Army. We are really proud of him." | "He was very brave and a credit to both us and the Army. We are really proud of him." |
| Lance Bombardier Hatton was a member of a Fire Support Team, which is responsible for providing covering artillery fire. | |
| His commanding officer, Lt Col Owen Adams, described him as a character who "stood out in a crowd". | |
| "He revelled in the bond that is commonplace amongst soldiers who serve in small teams across the Army and he lived to excel in his chosen profession," he said. | |
| The Ministry of Defence has released no further details about Capt Hale. | The Ministry of Defence has released no further details about Capt Hale. |
| The three soldiers were serving with the Rifles Battlegroup when they were killed. | 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 servicemen 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. |