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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Soldiers' bodies returned to UK | Soldiers' bodies returned to UK |
| (about 8 hours later) | |
| The bodies of four soldiers who died in Afghanistan at the weekend have been flown back to the UK. | 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 L/Cpl James Fullarton. | Fusilier Simon Annis, 22, from Salford, and Fusilier Louis Carter, 18, of Nuneaton, died trying to rescue L/Cpl James Fullarton. |
| However the 24-year-old from Coventry died on Sunday. Sgt Simon Valentine, 29, from Bedworth, died the day before in a separate incident. | However the 24-year-old from Coventry died on Sunday. Sgt 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 four were flown back to RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire before a ceremony. |
| The coffins were carried from the C17 plane ahead of the private service at the base's chapel. | The coffins were carried from the C17 plane ahead of the private service at the base's chapel. |
| Their coffins were later driven through nearby Wootton Bassett. | Their coffins were later 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. | 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. |
| He was the 201st soldier to be killed in the conflict. | He was the 201st soldier to be killed in the conflict. |
| 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 had 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 had 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. |
| His aunt Susan Marriott, 54, said his fiancee was "heartbroken". | His aunt Susan Marriott, 54, said his fiancee was "heartbroken". |
| Simon was the perfect husband, son and brother Caroline Annis | Simon was the perfect husband, son and brother Caroline Annis |
| 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. |
| His father Andrew Newell, 45, from Nuneaton, said Fusilier Carter's girlfriend, 18-year-old Paige Newell, was "devastated". | His father Andrew Newell, 45, from Nuneaton, said Fusilier Carter's girlfriend, 18-year-old Paige Newell, was "devastated". |
| He said his son had tried to shield her from most of what was going on in the conflict. | He said his son had tried to shield her from most of what was going on in the conflict. |
| 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." |
| Speaking about the procession through Wootton Bassett, Allison Bucknell, the town's mayoress, said residents still wanted to show their respect. | Speaking about the procession through Wootton Bassett, Allison Bucknell, the town's mayoress, said residents still wanted to show their respect. |
| She said: "I don't do numbers. It's just a statistic, the 200th or the 1st - it doesn't matter to us. | She said: "I don't do numbers. It's just a statistic, the 200th or the 1st - it doesn't matter to us. |
| "We come here because they give their lives." | "We come here because they give their lives." |
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| Hundreds line the street in Wootton Bassett to pay their respects to the four soldiers |