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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Bury soldier James Wilkinson killed training in Kenya | Bury soldier James Wilkinson killed training in Kenya |
| (about 4 hours 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, whom he married in July, is expecting their first child in February. | |
| She said she was 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. |
| 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." |
| Lt Mike Glover, of the Fusiliers Museum in Bury, said: "He was a local lad and came through the Bury recruiting office some 12 months ago. He was a nice lad and this is a tragic loss. | Lt Mike Glover, of the Fusiliers Museum in Bury, said: "He was a local lad and came through the Bury recruiting office some 12 months ago. He was a nice lad and this is a tragic loss. |
| 'Full of life' | |
| "The regiment is very much like a family and when one member of the family is killed in this sort of incident it really does affect everybody else." | "The regiment is very much like a family and when one member of the family is killed in this sort of incident it really does affect everybody else." |
| A tribute from his regiment read: "James was one of those unique individuals, liked and admired by all; he was happy, enthusiastic and immensely popular across all ranks. | |
| "Always smiling, he genuinely loved the Army and is warmly remembered by his friends. | |
| "He had made a distinctly positive impression as a young man full of life and eager to do the right thing. | |
| "An avid Manchester United supporter, he was a highly capable footballer with aspirations to play for the battalion football team." | |
| The tribute added that he was a "devoted husband and it was obvious to all that he deeply loved his wife". | |
| "James often spoke about his wife, their future daughter, his stepson and their future plans together." | |
| Commanding officer, Lt Col Mike Butterwick, said: "Fusilier James Wilkinson was the epitome of a Fusilier. He was robust, fit and was dedicated to his profession. | |
| "Even though he had only been with us for a relatively short time he had already made his mark on the battalion. | |
| "His personality was infectious and his professionalism was absolute. | |
| "Determined, keen and always ready to take the initiative, his performance on the exercise was simply outstanding. | |
| "He was immensely popular and everyone who knew him knew how much he loved his young wife, Sarah, and her son, Connor. | |
| "He was a wonderful role model for Connor. | |
| "Our thoughts and prayers are with Sarah and his parents, Rob and Jan, at this tragic time." |