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UK soldier killed in blast named | UK soldier killed in blast named |
(1 day later) | |
A soldier killed in an explosion in Afghanistan has been named as Acting Sgt John Amer. | A soldier killed in an explosion in Afghanistan has been named as Acting Sgt John Amer. |
A/Sgt Amer, 30, of 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, died from his wounds after an explosion in the Babaji area, in central Helmand Province on Monday. | A/Sgt Amer, 30, of 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, died from his wounds after an explosion in the Babaji area, in central Helmand Province on Monday. |
The Sunderland man's widow Sue said: "I am devastated by the loss of my loving husband John. I have lost my true love, my heart has been broken." | The Sunderland man's widow Sue said: "I am devastated by the loss of my loving husband John. I have lost my true love, my heart has been broken." |
His death brought the number of UK soldiers killed in Afghanistan to 236. | His death brought the number of UK soldiers killed in Afghanistan to 236. |
A/Sgt Amer, who was based in Aldershot, Hampshire, was the 99th British casualty of 2009. | A/Sgt Amer, who was based in Aldershot, Hampshire, was the 99th British casualty of 2009. |
'Overwhelming pain' | 'Overwhelming pain' |
Mrs Amer said: "The whole world should know that John was the best father that our daughter could have wished for. | Mrs Amer said: "The whole world should know that John was the best father that our daughter could have wished for. |
"This cruel world has taken a hero who touched the hearts of everyone he met, a very special man who brought joy and laughter. | "This cruel world has taken a hero who touched the hearts of everyone he met, a very special man who brought joy and laughter. |
"The Army was John's world, he was mine. He was my best friend, the pain of losing him is overwhelming." | "The Army was John's world, he was mine. He was my best friend, the pain of losing him is overwhelming." |
A/Sgt Amer was fatally wounded as he went to help a colleague who had been wounded in another explosion moments earlier. | A/Sgt Amer was fatally wounded as he went to help a colleague who had been wounded in another explosion moments earlier. |
The word 'legend' is used far too often but for my friend John it describes him perfectly Sgt Mathew Nichol | The word 'legend' is used far too often but for my friend John it describes him perfectly Sgt Mathew Nichol |
His commanding officer, Lt Col Toby Gray, described A/Sgt Amer as a man with an "enormous heart" who was "cherished by his friends and respected by his seniors". | His commanding officer, Lt Col Toby Gray, described A/Sgt Amer as a man with an "enormous heart" who was "cherished by his friends and respected by his seniors". |
Lt Col Gray said: "He was like the benevolent uncle, respected and loved by them all. His soldiers were happy and proud to serve with a man with integrity, honour and one of the keenest senses of humour in the Battalion. | Lt Col Gray said: "He was like the benevolent uncle, respected and loved by them all. His soldiers were happy and proud to serve with a man with integrity, honour and one of the keenest senses of humour in the Battalion. |
"We have lost one of the very finest soldiers in the regiment. He died saving a comrade and doing the job he both loved and excelled at. To the last, he was thinking of others." | "We have lost one of the very finest soldiers in the regiment. He died saving a comrade and doing the job he both loved and excelled at. To the last, he was thinking of others." |
Sgt Mathew Nichol said he considered himself "one of the luckiest men alive" to have worked alongside A/Sgt Amer for the past 13 years. | Sgt Mathew Nichol said he considered himself "one of the luckiest men alive" to have worked alongside A/Sgt Amer for the past 13 years. |
'Best friend for life' | 'Best friend for life' |
Most recent UK fatalities | Most recent UK fatalities |
Total deaths 2009: 100 | Total deaths 2009: 100 |
Updated: Dec 10 2009Full list | |
He said: "From the first moment we met all those years ago on the way to Germany to join the Battalion, I knew I had a best friend for life. John really was one of a kind and left a lasting impression on anyone that knew him. | He said: "From the first moment we met all those years ago on the way to Germany to join the Battalion, I knew I had a best friend for life. John really was one of a kind and left a lasting impression on anyone that knew him. |
"The word 'legend' is used far too often but for my friend John it describes him perfectly. A completely selfless man who would do anything for his blokes and would never put himself before them, he was loved by all." | "The word 'legend' is used far too often but for my friend John it describes him perfectly. A completely selfless man who would do anything for his blokes and would never put himself before them, he was loved by all." |
Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth, said: "I was extremely saddened to learn of the death of Sgt John Amer, a soldier described by all those who knew him as an outstanding senior non-commissioned officer. | Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth, said: "I was extremely saddened to learn of the death of Sgt John Amer, a soldier described by all those who knew him as an outstanding senior non-commissioned officer. |
"He was respected equally by his men and his seniors, all of whom will be feeling his loss greatly. | "He was respected equally by his men and his seniors, all of whom will be feeling his loss greatly. |
"My deepest sympathies are, of course, with Sgt Amer's family, friends and colleagues at this most painful time for them." | "My deepest sympathies are, of course, with Sgt Amer's family, friends and colleagues at this most painful time for them." |