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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Afghan blast soldier named by MoD | Afghan blast soldier named by MoD |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| A British soldier killed in an explosion in southern Afghanistan on Wednesday has been named. | A British soldier killed in an explosion in southern Afghanistan on Wednesday has been named. |
| Lance Corporal Richard Brandon, 24, from Kidderminster, died on Wednesday when his vehicle was hit by an improvised device in Helmand province. | |
| The soldier, from the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, was operating with the Light Dragoons Battlegroup. | The soldier, from the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, was operating with the Light Dragoons Battlegroup. |
| His death took the number of British service personnel killed in Afghanistan since operations began in 2001 to 211. | His death took the number of British service personnel killed in Afghanistan since operations began in 2001 to 211. |
| According to the Ministry of Defence, L/Cpl Brandon was the driver of a Samson armoured repair and recovery vehicle within the A Squadron Fitter Section of The Light Dragoons. | |
| He was carrying out an "essential re-supply task" when he was hit. He died instantly. | |
| L/Cpl Brandon leaves behind his parents, Anna and Geoff, fiancée Emma-Jayne Webster, daughter Kaitlin and step-sons Liam and Martyn. | |
| 'Wonderful father' | |
| In tribute, Ms Webster said he had been "one in a million". | |
| His tragic and untimely death will have a profound effect on all who had the privilege to know and work alongside him Lt Col Gus Fair | |
| "Richie was a wonderful fiancé and father/step-father to Martyn, Liam and our daughter Kaitlin. We couldn't have asked for more. | |
| "He will be very sadly missed by all that knew him. He loved his job. I feel privileged to have spent four-and-a half-years of my life with him. He was one in a million." | |
| Lt Col Gus Fair, commanding officer of The Light Dragoons, said through a tough and demanding period of fighting, L/Cpl Brandon had "worked relentlessly to keep the troop's vehicles fully operational and battle worthy". | |
| "His tragic and untimely death will have a profound effect on all who had the privilege to know and work alongside him," he said. | |
| "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this very difficult time and we share deeply in their grief." |