This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/8206467.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Soldiers' bodies are flown home | Soldiers' bodies are flown home |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| The bodies of three soldiers killed by roadside bombs in Afghanistan have been returned to the UK. | The bodies of three soldiers killed by roadside bombs in Afghanistan have been returned to the UK. |
| Lance Bombardier Matthew Hatton, aged 23 and from North Yorkshire, of 40 Regiment Royal Artillery, was hit by a makeshift bomb in Helmand on Thursday. | Lance Bombardier Matthew Hatton, aged 23 and from North Yorkshire, of 40 Regiment Royal Artillery, was hit by a makeshift bomb in Helmand on Thursday. |
| Rifleman Daniel Wild, 19, from County Durham, and Capt Mark Hale, 42, from Bournemouth, went to help but all three were fatally injured in a second blast. | Rifleman Daniel Wild, 19, from County Durham, and Capt Mark Hale, 42, from Bournemouth, went to help but all three were fatally injured in a second blast. |
| Meanwhile, a soldier's widow has been presented with the new Elizabeth Cross. | Meanwhile, a soldier's widow has been presented with the new Elizabeth Cross. |
| The newly-created medal was presented to Karen Upton before the funeral of her husband, Warrant Officer Sean Upton, 35, at Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire. | The newly-created medal was presented to Karen Upton before the funeral of her husband, Warrant Officer Sean Upton, 35, at Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire. |
| It is an absolute honour to receive the very first Elizabeth Cross in Her Majesty's name and comforting to feel the support of Queen and country Karen Upton Widow awarded Elizabeth Cross | It is an absolute honour to receive the very first Elizabeth Cross in Her Majesty's name and comforting to feel the support of Queen and country Karen Upton Widow awarded Elizabeth Cross |
| WO Upton, from the 5th Regiment Royal Artillery, died in an explosion while on foot patrol in the Sangin district of Helmand province last month. | |
| Mrs Upton, 32, said she would wear the Elizabeth Cross "with pride and treasure it always". | Mrs Upton, 32, said she would wear the Elizabeth Cross "with pride and treasure it always". |
| "It is an absolute honour to receive the very first Elizabeth Cross in Her Majesty's name and comforting to feel the support of Queen and country," she said. | "It is an absolute honour to receive the very first Elizabeth Cross in Her Majesty's name and comforting to feel the support of Queen and country," she said. |
| "Sean and I grew up together, were childhood sweethearts and soul mates. He was a loving husband and devoted father. | "Sean and I grew up together, were childhood sweethearts and soul mates. He was a loving husband and devoted father. |
| "Sean was an outstanding soldier, loved his job and was part of the Army family." | "Sean was an outstanding soldier, loved his job and was part of the Army family." |
| The Elizabeth Cross is awarded to the next of kin of armed forces personnel killed on active service, in national recognition of their loss. | The Elizabeth Cross is awarded to the next of kin of armed forces personnel killed on active service, in national recognition of their loss. |
| 'Fearless soldier' | 'Fearless soldier' |
| Crowds have been gathering in the market town of Wootton Bassett in Wiltshire for the funeral cortege of the three soldiers who were repatriated to nearby RAF Lyneham. | Crowds have been gathering in the market town of Wootton Bassett in Wiltshire for the funeral cortege of the three soldiers who were repatriated to nearby RAF Lyneham. |
| A private service at the air base has already taken place. | A private service at the air base has already taken place. |
| Rifleman Wild and Capt Hale, both serving with the 2nd Battalion The Rifles, were carrying their wounded comrade when the three men were hit by the second explosion. | Rifleman Wild and Capt Hale, both serving with the 2nd Battalion The Rifles, were carrying their wounded comrade when the three men were hit by the second explosion. |
| Capt Hale died later from his injuries, while Lance Bombardier Hatton, from Haxby, and Rifleman Wild, from Easington, died at the scene. | Capt Hale died later from his injuries, while Lance Bombardier Hatton, from Haxby, and Rifleman Wild, from Easington, died at the scene. |
| The three men were on foot patrol providing security for a meeting ahead of the country's presidential elections when they were killed. | The three men were on foot patrol providing security for a meeting ahead of the country's presidential elections when they were killed. |
| Soon after their deaths, the number of British military fatalities in Afghanistan surpassed 200. It now stands at 204. | Soon after their deaths, the number of British military fatalities in Afghanistan surpassed 200. It now stands at 204. |
| The MoD has named three soldiers killed on Sunday Dead Afghanistan fusiliers named | The MoD has named three soldiers killed on Sunday Dead Afghanistan fusiliers named |
| Lt Col Rupert Jones, commanding officer of 4 Rifles, described Capt Hale as "a legend". | Lt Col Rupert Jones, commanding officer of 4 Rifles, described Capt Hale as "a legend". |
| Lt Col Rob Thomson, of the Rifles Battlegroup, said Rifleman Wild was a "fearless" soldier who was adored by his men. | Lt Col Rob Thomson, of the Rifles Battlegroup, said Rifleman Wild was a "fearless" soldier who was adored by his men. |
| Lance Bombardier Hatton's parents Jill and Philip said in a statement: "He was very brave and a credit to both us and the Army. We are really proud of him." | Lance Bombardier Hatton's parents Jill and Philip said in a statement: "He was very brave and a credit to both us and the Army. We are really proud of him." |
| On Monday, Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth insisted that the UK campaign in Afghanistan remained "winnable", as MoD figures revealed the number of British military injuries in the country had more than doubled in a month. | On Monday, Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth insisted that the UK campaign in Afghanistan remained "winnable", as MoD figures revealed the number of British military injuries in the country had more than doubled in a month. |
| A total of 94 UK soldiers were injured in action in Helmand in July, compared with 46 in June. | A total of 94 UK soldiers were injured in action in Helmand in July, compared with 46 in June. |
| A further three soldiers killed in a blast in Afghanistan were named by the Ministry of Defence. | A further three soldiers killed in a blast in Afghanistan were named by the Ministry of Defence. |
| Fusilier Simon Annis, from Salford, Fusilier Louis Carter, from Nuneaton, Warwickshire, and Lance Corporal James Fullarton, from Coventry, were all members of the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers and died in an explosion near Sangin on Sunday. | Fusilier Simon Annis, from Salford, Fusilier Louis Carter, from Nuneaton, Warwickshire, and Lance Corporal James Fullarton, from Coventry, were all members of the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers and died in an explosion near Sangin on Sunday. |