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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
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| British soldier killed on patrol in Helmand province | British soldier killed on patrol in Helmand province |
| (8 days later) | |
| A British soldier from 3rd Battalion, the Yorkshire Regiment, has been killed in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence said on Sunday. | A British soldier from 3rd Battalion, the Yorkshire Regiment, has been killed in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence said on Sunday. |
| He was shot while on patrol in the south of Nahr-e Saraj district in Helmand province and becomes the 417th member of UK forces to have died since operations in Afghanistan began in October 2001. | He was shot while on patrol in the south of Nahr-e Saraj district in Helmand province and becomes the 417th member of UK forces to have died since operations in Afghanistan began in October 2001. |
| A British soldier shot dead in Afghanistan on Friday was named on Sunday as Corporal Michael Thacker, from 1st Battalion, the Royal Welsh. | A British soldier shot dead in Afghanistan on Friday was named on Sunday as Corporal Michael Thacker, from 1st Battalion, the Royal Welsh. |
| He was manning an observation post in Nahr-e Saraj when his patrol came under attack from small arms fire, the MoD said. He received immediate medical attention and was evacuated from the scene by helicopter, but died of his injuries. | He was manning an observation post in Nahr-e Saraj when his patrol came under attack from small arms fire, the MoD said. He received immediate medical attention and was evacuated from the scene by helicopter, but died of his injuries. |
| The 27-year-old father-of-one was born in Swindon, Wiltshire, and had served in Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan. | The 27-year-old father-of-one was born in Swindon, Wiltshire, and had served in Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan. |
| Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Webb MC, Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion the Royal Welsh, said: "He was a soldier's soldier – a larger than life character, highly competent, fiercely loyal and hugely proud of his family." | Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Webb MC, Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion the Royal Welsh, said: "He was a soldier's soldier – a larger than life character, highly competent, fiercely loyal and hugely proud of his family." |
| Lt Col Webb said the soldier, who has a two-year-old daughter, had recently been promoted. He added: "He never shirked a challenge or took the easy option and this selfless commitment spread through those around him." | Lt Col Webb said the soldier, who has a two-year-old daughter, had recently been promoted. He added: "He never shirked a challenge or took the easy option and this selfless commitment spread through those around him." |
| Cpl Thacker's younger brother, Lance Corporal Matthew Thacker, who also served in the 1st Battalion the Royal Welsh, said: "We were more than brothers, we were best friends, and words cannot express how much he will be missed. | Cpl Thacker's younger brother, Lance Corporal Matthew Thacker, who also served in the 1st Battalion the Royal Welsh, said: "We were more than brothers, we were best friends, and words cannot express how much he will be missed. |
| "Devastated cannot come close to how we as a family are feeling. He died doing the job that we Thacker brothers love. He is a true hero. Rest in peace. You will always be in my thoughts." | "Devastated cannot come close to how we as a family are feeling. He died doing the job that we Thacker brothers love. He is a true hero. Rest in peace. You will always be in my thoughts." |
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