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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Bury soldier James Wilkinson killed training in Kenya | Bury soldier James Wilkinson killed training in Kenya |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A soldier serving with the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers has been killed while on military training in Kenya, the Ministry of Defence has said. | A soldier serving with the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers has been killed while on military training in Kenya, the Ministry of Defence has said. |
| Fusilier James Wilkinson, 21, from Bury, Greater Manchester, was a member of the 2nd Battalion. | Fusilier James Wilkinson, 21, from Bury, Greater Manchester, was a member of the 2nd Battalion. |
| The Royal Military Police said it was carrying out an investigation into his death on 26 November. | The Royal Military Police said it was carrying out an investigation into his death on 26 November. |
| A spokesman said: "Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult and sad time." | A spokesman said: "Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult and sad time." |
| 'Shot in neck' | 'Shot in neck' |
| His wife Sarah, who he married in July, is expecting their first child in February. | His wife Sarah, who he married in July, is expecting their first child in February. |
| She said she had been told her husband had been shot in the neck during a live firing exercise. | She said she had been told her husband had been shot in the neck during a live firing exercise. |
| Mrs Wilkinson, who has a two-year-old son, Connor, said Fusilier Wilkinson brought her son up "as his own". | Mrs Wilkinson, who has a two-year-old son, Connor, said Fusilier Wilkinson brought her son up "as his own". |
| The battalion had been posted to Kenya in preparation for a tour of duty in Afghanistan next year. | The battalion had been posted to Kenya in preparation for a tour of duty in Afghanistan next year. |
| Fusilier Wilkinson's father, Rob, from Whitefield, Bury, also served in the forces as an army medic. | Fusilier Wilkinson's father, Rob, from Whitefield, Bury, also served in the forces as an army medic. |
| 'Precious memories' | 'Precious memories' |
| A family statement read: "Being in the army was in James' blood. It was what he always wanted to do - to serve his country just as his father had before him. | A family statement read: "Being in the army was in James' blood. It was what he always wanted to do - to serve his country just as his father had before him. |
| "Anybody who knew James had the utmost respect for him. He was simply treasured by all who knew and loved him. | "Anybody who knew James had the utmost respect for him. He was simply treasured by all who knew and loved him. |
| "His wife Sarah is taking hope from the part of James which will live on in their baby girl, who is due in February. | "His wife Sarah is taking hope from the part of James which will live on in their baby girl, who is due in February. |
| "Above that James' family and friends will always have of him never-ending and precious memories that will never be forgotten." | "Above that James' family and friends will always have of him never-ending and precious memories that will never be forgotten." |