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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan death soldier named | Afghanistan death soldier named |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A British soldier who died in Afghanistan on Friday has been named as Rifleman Jonathon Allott from 3 Rifles. | A British soldier who died in Afghanistan on Friday has been named as Rifleman Jonathon Allott from 3 Rifles. |
| Rifleman Allott, 19, died from his wounds following a roadside explosion near Sangin in Helmand province while on foot patrol. | Rifleman Allott, 19, died from his wounds following a roadside explosion near Sangin in Helmand province while on foot patrol. |
| His family said: "Jonny died a hero doing the job he loved - he will be sorely missed by all who knew him." | His family said: "Jonny died a hero doing the job he loved - he will be sorely missed by all who knew him." |
| Two more British soldiers have died in Afghanistan over the weekend, bringing the total killed since 2001 to 271. | Two more British soldiers have died in Afghanistan over the weekend, bringing the total killed since 2001 to 271. |
| The Ministry of Defence said Rifleman Allott, who was born in North Shields and lived in Bournemouth, joined the Army in November 2008. | The Ministry of Defence said Rifleman Allott, who was born in North Shields and lived in Bournemouth, joined the Army in November 2008. |
| He was deployed to Sangin in September where he was the front man in a patrol responsible for clearing the ground of improvised explosive devices (IEDs). | He was deployed to Sangin in September where he was the front man in a patrol responsible for clearing the ground of improvised explosive devices (IEDs). |
| 'True warrior' | |
| He died following a blast while on an operation to insert a new patrol base. | He died following a blast while on an operation to insert a new patrol base. |
| Rifleman Allott leaves behind his parents Michael and Andrea, sister Nikki and brothers Daniel and Marc. | |
| His family said in a statement: "Jonathon couldn't wait to get home and wear his medal with pride." | His family said in a statement: "Jonathon couldn't wait to get home and wear his medal with pride." |
| This Battle Group has lost a respected brother in arms and our nation one of its very best sons Lt Col Nick Kitson | This Battle Group has lost a respected brother in arms and our nation one of its very best sons Lt Col Nick Kitson |
| Lt Col Nick Kitson, commanding officer 3 Rifles Battle Group, described Rifleman Allott as "inspirational". | Lt Col Nick Kitson, commanding officer 3 Rifles Battle Group, described Rifleman Allott as "inspirational". |
| Lt Col Kitson said: "His warm and friendly nature endeared him to all whose path he crossed but belied the streak of steel that ran through him making him a true warrior. | Lt Col Kitson said: "His warm and friendly nature endeared him to all whose path he crossed but belied the streak of steel that ran through him making him a true warrior. |
| "Having arrived with us some nine months ago, he had already made a name for himself as someone for whom nothing was too much trouble, whether it was taking time to talk to a fellow Rifleman or clearing the ground of deadly IEDs for his platoon to pass safely. | "Having arrived with us some nine months ago, he had already made a name for himself as someone for whom nothing was too much trouble, whether it was taking time to talk to a fellow Rifleman or clearing the ground of deadly IEDs for his platoon to pass safely. |
| "There is no doubt that he had a promising future. This Battle Group has lost a respected brother in arms and our nation one of its very best sons." | "There is no doubt that he had a promising future. This Battle Group has lost a respected brother in arms and our nation one of its very best sons." |
| Defence secretary Bob Ainsworth said: "I was saddened to hear of the loss of Rifleman Jonathon Allott. He was clearly a dedicated and popular soldier who will be missed greatly by his colleagues." | |
| Other deaths | |
| The two soldiers killed in Afghanistan over the weekend were also members of The Rifles who died in Helmand. | The two soldiers killed in Afghanistan over the weekend were also members of The Rifles who died in Helmand. |
| A soldier from 3rd Battalion The Rifles died after being wounded by small arms fire on Saturday, while a member of A Company 4 Rifles died in a firefight on Sunday. | A soldier from 3rd Battalion The Rifles died after being wounded by small arms fire on Saturday, while a member of A Company 4 Rifles died in a firefight on Sunday. |
| In all, three members of 3 Rifles and one fighter attached to the battalion's battle group have been killed in Afghanistan over the past week. | |
| Their deaths mean 26 British soldiers have died in Afghanistan since the start of this year. | Their deaths mean 26 British soldiers have died in Afghanistan since the start of this year. |