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| Dead bomb disposal expert named | Dead bomb disposal expert named |
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| A British bomb disposal expert who died on New Year's Eve after being caught in an explosion in southern Afghanistan has been named as Sapper David Watson. | A British bomb disposal expert who died on New Year's Eve after being caught in an explosion in southern Afghanistan has been named as Sapper David Watson. |
| The 23-year-old from 33 Engineer Regiment, Royal Engineers was on his first operational tour when he was fatally wounded by a roadside bomb. | |
| His family said Sapper Watson, who was based at Carver Barracks in Wimbish, Essex, had been "living his dream". | His family said Sapper Watson, who was based at Carver Barracks in Wimbish, Essex, had been "living his dream". |
| In all, 245 UK service personnel have been killed in Afghanistan since 2001. | In all, 245 UK service personnel have been killed in Afghanistan since 2001. |
| Sapper Watson, who grew up in Whickham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, died of wounds sustained in the explosion close to Patrol Base Blenheim in the Sangin area of Helmand province. | |
| In a statement, his family said: "He always managed to achieve above and beyond the goals that he set for himself, often going that extra mile to achieve beyond the bounds of what was expected of him. | In a statement, his family said: "He always managed to achieve above and beyond the goals that he set for himself, often going that extra mile to achieve beyond the bounds of what was expected of him. |
| Sapper Watson was the archetypal gentle giant; strong and silent, the big brother that you never had Major Tim Gould | Sapper Watson was the archetypal gentle giant; strong and silent, the big brother that you never had Major Tim Gould |
| "He lived his dream and did what a true soldier is ready to do for his country, a true hero." | "He lived his dream and did what a true soldier is ready to do for his country, a true hero." |
| Senior officers have paid tribute to Sapper Watson. | Senior officers have paid tribute to Sapper Watson. |
| Lt Col Gareth Bex, commanding officer of the counter-IED task force, called him "the epitome of a warrior: fearless, ruthlessly determined and a great team player". | Lt Col Gareth Bex, commanding officer of the counter-IED task force, called him "the epitome of a warrior: fearless, ruthlessly determined and a great team player". |
| "An immensely proud parachute and commando-trained soldier, he was highly respected by his peers; they looked up to him with the deference that individuals of his sheer quality warrant," he said. | "An immensely proud parachute and commando-trained soldier, he was highly respected by his peers; they looked up to him with the deference that individuals of his sheer quality warrant," he said. |
| And Major Tim Gould, the officer commanding the Joint Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group, described Sapper Watson as a "man-mountain of a young man". | And Major Tim Gould, the officer commanding the Joint Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group, described Sapper Watson as a "man-mountain of a young man". |
| He was "as strong as an ox and was completely unsurpassed in any challenge of a physical nature", he added. | He was "as strong as an ox and was completely unsurpassed in any challenge of a physical nature", he added. |
| "Sapper Watson was the archetypal gentle giant; strong and silent, the big brother that you never had. | "Sapper Watson was the archetypal gentle giant; strong and silent, the big brother that you never had. |
| "He was the one that you wanted by your side no matter what you were doing, be it on a night out in town, the sports pitch or on the battlefield here in Helmand." | "He was the one that you wanted by your side no matter what you were doing, be it on a night out in town, the sports pitch or on the battlefield here in Helmand." |
| Major Richard Hawkins, the officer commanding 49 Field Squadron (explosive ordnance disposal), said: "Sapper Watson's vital work clearing mines and unexploded bombs throughout Helmand province has undoubtedly saved the lives of countless soldiers and local civilians." | Major Richard Hawkins, the officer commanding 49 Field Squadron (explosive ordnance disposal), said: "Sapper Watson's vital work clearing mines and unexploded bombs throughout Helmand province has undoubtedly saved the lives of countless soldiers and local civilians." |