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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Soldiers' bodies returned to UK | Soldiers' bodies returned to UK |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| The bodies of four soldiers who died in Afghanistan at the weekend have been flown back to the UK. | |
| Fusilier Simon Annis, 22, from Salford, and Fusilier Louis Carter, 18, of Nuneaton, died trying to rescue Lance Corporal James Fullarton. | Fusilier Simon Annis, 22, from Salford, and Fusilier Louis Carter, 18, of Nuneaton, died trying to rescue Lance Corporal James Fullarton. |
| However the 24-year-old from Coventry died on Sunday. Sergeant Simon Valentine, 29, from Bedworth, died the day before in a separate incident. | However the 24-year-old from Coventry died on Sunday. Sergeant Simon Valentine, 29, from Bedworth, died the day before in a separate incident. |
| The four were flown back to RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire before a ceremony. | |
| The coffins were due to be carried from the C17 plane ahead of the private service at the base's chapel. | |
| Their coffins will be driven through nearby Wootton Bassett. | |
| Marriage plans | Marriage plans |
| Sgt Valentine, of 2nd Battalion Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, died in an explosion while on foot patrol in Sangin. | |
| He joined the army in 1997, was deployed to Kosovo in 1999 and took part in anti-terrorist operations in Belfast, as well as completing numerous tours overseas, including two in Iraq. | He joined the army in 1997, was deployed to Kosovo in 1999 and took part in anti-terrorist operations in Belfast, as well as completing numerous tours overseas, including two in Iraq. |
| He leaves his wife Gemma, who he had known since school and married in 2002, and two daughters, Chantelle and Niamh. | He leaves his wife Gemma, who he had known since school and married in 2002, and two daughters, Chantelle and Niamh. |
| Simon was the perfect husband, son and brother Caroline Annis | Simon was the perfect husband, son and brother Caroline Annis |
| The other soldiers, also of 2nd Battalion Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, died following an explosion during a patrol at Sangin. | The other soldiers, also of 2nd Battalion Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, died following an explosion during a patrol at Sangin. |
| L/Cpl Fullarton had become engaged to his girlfriend Leanne while he was home on leave from Afghanistan in June. They planned to marry next year. | L/Cpl Fullarton had become engaged to his girlfriend Leanne while he was home on leave from Afghanistan in June. They planned to marry next year. |
| He joined the Army in 2003 and had served in Northern Ireland, Jordan and Iraq. | He joined the Army in 2003 and had served in Northern Ireland, Jordan and Iraq. |
| Fusilier Louis Carter joined the Army in 2007 and after completing his training was sent straight out to Afghanistan. | Fusilier Louis Carter joined the Army in 2007 and after completing his training was sent straight out to Afghanistan. |
| He was a keen footballer, rugby player and cricketer and was a Coventry City supporter. | He was a keen footballer, rugby player and cricketer and was a Coventry City supporter. |
| Fusilier Annis married in February this year, just weeks before he was deployed to Afghanistan. | Fusilier Annis married in February this year, just weeks before he was deployed to Afghanistan. |
| His wife Caroline said: "Simon was the perfect husband, son and brother. He will be sorely missed by all of us." | His wife Caroline said: "Simon was the perfect husband, son and brother. He will be sorely missed by all of us." |