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UK soldier killed in blast named | UK soldier killed in blast named |
(20 minutes later) | |
A British soldier killed in a blast in Afghanistan's Helmand province has been named as Corporal James Oakland, 26, of the Royal Military Police. | |
The Ministry of Defence said Cpl Oakland, from New Moston, Manchester, was on foot patrol near Gereshk when an improvised explosive device detonated. | The Ministry of Defence said Cpl Oakland, from New Moston, Manchester, was on foot patrol near Gereshk when an improvised explosive device detonated. |
His commanding officer described him as "an inspiring character". | His commanding officer described him as "an inspiring character". |
Cpl Oakland's death on Thursday takes the number of UK troops killed in Afghanistan since 2001 to 222. | Cpl Oakland's death on Thursday takes the number of UK troops killed in Afghanistan since 2001 to 222. |
The MoD said Cpl Oakland joined the Army in 2002 and deployed to Afghanistan two months early to replace another British military casualty. | The MoD said Cpl Oakland joined the Army in 2002 and deployed to Afghanistan two months early to replace another British military casualty. |
He was conducting a search for IEDs to try to clear a route for colleagues when he was fatally wounded. | He was conducting a search for IEDs to try to clear a route for colleagues when he was fatally wounded. |
'Natural leader' | 'Natural leader' |
In a statement, his family said: "We are immensely proud of James, the person he was and the job that he did. | In a statement, his family said: "We are immensely proud of James, the person he was and the job that he did. |
"He was a true friend, loving son, grandson, brother and boyfriend, who will be dearly missed and never forgotten." | "He was a true friend, loving son, grandson, brother and boyfriend, who will be dearly missed and never forgotten." |
His keen wit brightened many a dark moment Maj Andy Lewis | |
His commanding officer in the counter-IED task force, Lt Col Gareth Bex, also paid tribute to him. | His commanding officer in the counter-IED task force, Lt Col Gareth Bex, also paid tribute to him. |
"Corporal James Oakland was an excellent soldier, a natural leader and extremely well thought of by all ranks," he said. | "Corporal James Oakland was an excellent soldier, a natural leader and extremely well thought of by all ranks," he said. |
"He was an inspiring character and his loss will be felt keenly across our close-knit community. | "He was an inspiring character and his loss will be felt keenly across our close-knit community. |
"When a battle casualty replacement was needed two months ago, his professionalism made him the natural choice to deploy and he excelled in his operational duties." | "When a battle casualty replacement was needed two months ago, his professionalism made him the natural choice to deploy and he excelled in his operational duties." |
Cpl Oakland was part of Weapons Intelligence Specialist Company and the unit's commander, Maj Andy Lewis, described him as one of its "brightest stars". | |
"He was a central part of company life and he worked hard and played harder; his keen wit brightened many a dark moment," he added. | |
Known as "Jim" to his friends, Cpl Oakland had previously served on operations in Kosovo and Beirut. | |
He was said to be very close to his family - his parents Steve and Christine, long-term girlfriend Lauren Bowyer and brother, Daniel, who is in his final term at the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst. |