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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Tribute to UK death blast soldier | Tribute to UK death blast soldier |
| (3 days later) | |
| Trooper Smith was described as a "highly impressive" soldier | Trooper Smith was described as a "highly impressive" soldier |
| A soldier from The Royal Dragoon Guards who died in an explosion in Afghanistan has been named as Trooper Ashley David Smith. | |
| He had been guarding comrades as they cleared land in front of a checkpoint in the Nahr-e Saraj district, Helmand, when he was hit by the blast on Friday. | He had been guarding comrades as they cleared land in front of a checkpoint in the Nahr-e Saraj district, Helmand, when he was hit by the blast on Friday. |
| The 21-year-old from York was the 299th member of the UK armed forces to have died in Afghanistan since 2001. | The 21-year-old from York was the 299th member of the UK armed forces to have died in Afghanistan since 2001. |
| His parents, Sandra and Dave, said they were "immensely proud" of him. | His parents, Sandra and Dave, said they were "immensely proud" of him. |
| "He worked hard and was passionate about what he was doing and proud of all he had achieved," they told the Ministry of Defence website. | "He worked hard and was passionate about what he was doing and proud of all he had achieved," they told the Ministry of Defence website. |
| "Everyone that knew Ashley loved him and he was the best son any mother and father could have wished for, and a loving brother to his brothers and sisters." | "Everyone that knew Ashley loved him and he was the best son any mother and father could have wished for, and a loving brother to his brothers and sisters." |
| Trooper Smith is also survived by his girlfriend, Sarah. | Trooper Smith is also survived by his girlfriend, Sarah. |
| He had joined the Royal Dragoon Guards in 2008 and served in Canada before going to Afghanistan. | He had joined the Royal Dragoon Guards in 2008 and served in Canada before going to Afghanistan. |
| There, he had volunteered to join a patrol in an area known to be sown with makeshift bombs. | There, he had volunteered to join a patrol in an area known to be sown with makeshift bombs. |
| Trooper Smith's commanding officer, Lt Col James Carr-Smith, described him as a "highly impressive young man". | Trooper Smith's commanding officer, Lt Col James Carr-Smith, described him as a "highly impressive young man". |
| "He was full of energy, very popular and tremendously good company. | "He was full of energy, very popular and tremendously good company. |
| "He loved the camaraderie that the regiment offered and he loved soldiering." | "He loved the camaraderie that the regiment offered and he loved soldiering." |
| Trooper Smith's comrades described him as a talented sportsman with a passion for basketball. | Trooper Smith's comrades described him as a talented sportsman with a passion for basketball. |
| Trooper Michael Noonan said: "His great sense of humour made sure he had plenty of friends within the squadron. | Trooper Michael Noonan said: "His great sense of humour made sure he had plenty of friends within the squadron. |
| "He loved to laugh, even when the going got tough, but he was dedicated to the troop and wanted to be in Afghanistan with the boys." | "He loved to laugh, even when the going got tough, but he was dedicated to the troop and wanted to be in Afghanistan with the boys." |
| Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox said it was clear from the tributes that Trooper Smith would be truly missed. | Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox said it was clear from the tributes that Trooper Smith would be truly missed. |
| "Trooper Smith died whilst protecting and improving the lives of the local population in a highly volatile area, and his sacrifice in this vital mission will never be forgotten," he said. | "Trooper Smith died whilst protecting and improving the lives of the local population in a highly volatile area, and his sacrifice in this vital mission will never be forgotten," he said. |