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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Dead British soldier named by MoD | Dead British soldier named by MoD |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| A soldier killed in an explosion in Afghanistan on Monday has been named as Rifleman Aidan Howell, from 3rd Battalion, The Rifles. | A soldier killed in an explosion in Afghanistan on Monday has been named as Rifleman Aidan Howell, from 3rd Battalion, The Rifles. |
| The 19-year-old, from Sidcup in Kent, was on patrol in the Kajaki area of Helmand when a roadside bomb exploded. | |
| His family, who knew him as "Sunshine Boy", said he had always been a hero to "everyone lucky enough to know him" and had made them "utterly proud". | |
| His death brings the number of UK soldiers killed since 2001 to 244. | |
| In a statement his family said they could not express the "total and utter devastation" they felt. | In a statement his family said they could not express the "total and utter devastation" they felt. |
| "Aidan was a big Leeds United fan and even met the players, his heroes, before he left for Afghanistan," they said. | "Aidan was a big Leeds United fan and even met the players, his heroes, before he left for Afghanistan," they said. |
| "He was known as Sunshine Boy to his family and he was a loving son, grandson, and a cheeky and cocky brother. | "He was known as Sunshine Boy to his family and he was a loving son, grandson, and a cheeky and cocky brother. |
| "He loved his mates both at home and in the Army and he was so proud to be a soldier, as we were utterly proud of him." | "He loved his mates both at home and in the Army and he was so proud to be a soldier, as we were utterly proud of him." |
| Christmas messages | |
| Rifleman Howell was part of a specialised fire support group, which was normally reserved for more senior riflemen. | Rifleman Howell was part of a specialised fire support group, which was normally reserved for more senior riflemen. |
| Lt Col Nick Kitson, commanding officer of 3 Rifles, said he was "already established as a man of promise". | Lt Col Nick Kitson, commanding officer of 3 Rifles, said he was "already established as a man of promise". |
| "His infectious humour and engaging personality had quickly endeared him to his company and his platoon," he said. | "His infectious humour and engaging personality had quickly endeared him to his company and his platoon," he said. |
| Captain Ben Morgan, fire support group commander, said he was "a very social young Rifleman" who always had a smile on his face. | |
| "A tall man, he used his height to look out for others, a trait that made him a leader among men and stayed with him right to the very end," he said. | |
| "On the day of his death a British newspaper arrived with messages of Christmas wishes from loved ones back in the UK. | |
| "Where most people had one or two messages, Aidan had more than anyone else." |