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British soldier killed in Afghanistan was set to become a father British soldier killed in Afghanistan was set to become a father
(8 days later)
A soldier who was killed in Afghanistan on Sunday, less than a month after arriving in the country, was set to become a father.A soldier who was killed in Afghanistan on Sunday, less than a month after arriving in the country, was set to become a father.
Private Gregg Thomas Stone, 20, was shot dead as he took part in a mission to rescue a police officer kidnapped by insurgents in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province.Private Gregg Thomas Stone, 20, was shot dead as he took part in a mission to rescue a police officer kidnapped by insurgents in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province.
The soldier, from 3rd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment, was hit as his task force successfully extricated Abdul Walid, who had been captured at a checkpoint.The soldier, from 3rd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment, was hit as his task force successfully extricated Abdul Walid, who had been captured at a checkpoint.
As tributes were being paid to Stone, who was from Hull, it emerged that he and his wife, Samantha, were expecting their first child.As tributes were being paid to Stone, who was from Hull, it emerged that he and his wife, Samantha, were expecting their first child.
Major Rob Singleton, Officer Commanding Burma Company, 3rd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment, said: "Only a few days ago he told me how excited he was at the prospect of becoming a father for the first time. He will be sorely missed by everyone in Burma Company and he will never be forgotten. The thoughts and prayers of every member of Burma Company are with Gregg's wife and his loving family."Major Rob Singleton, Officer Commanding Burma Company, 3rd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment, said: "Only a few days ago he told me how excited he was at the prospect of becoming a father for the first time. He will be sorely missed by everyone in Burma Company and he will never be forgotten. The thoughts and prayers of every member of Burma Company are with Gregg's wife and his loving family."
Stone was deployed to Afghanistan on 13 May as part of 6 Platoon, Burma Company. Army chiefs said he was looking forward to attending the Junior Non-Commissioned Officers course on his return, "which he was sure to pass".Stone was deployed to Afghanistan on 13 May as part of 6 Platoon, Burma Company. Army chiefs said he was looking forward to attending the Junior Non-Commissioned Officers course on his return, "which he was sure to pass".
His widow said: "Gregg and I were childhood sweethearts and we met at school – he was my soulmate. He was a brilliant husband and a family man who loved his family. He was always the one to want to make us laugh – he always cheered everyone up.His widow said: "Gregg and I were childhood sweethearts and we met at school – he was my soulmate. He was a brilliant husband and a family man who loved his family. He was always the one to want to make us laugh – he always cheered everyone up.
"He was proud to be a soldier and for what he had achieved in his work. He would also want me to mention his dog Benji, who he loved to bits.""He was proud to be a soldier and for what he had achieved in his work. He would also want me to mention his dog Benji, who he loved to bits."
The soldier's mother, Angela, father, Robert, brothers, Kallum, Jamie and Graeme, and sisters, Rosie and Jennie, also paid tribute to him. They said: "He will always be a true hero in all our hearts. Anyone who was blessed enough to have known him will know how much of a credit to his friends and family he was.The soldier's mother, Angela, father, Robert, brothers, Kallum, Jamie and Graeme, and sisters, Rosie and Jennie, also paid tribute to him. They said: "He will always be a true hero in all our hearts. Anyone who was blessed enough to have known him will know how much of a credit to his friends and family he was.
"Words cannot begin to describe this great loss, and we are exceptionally proud of Gregg for everything he was and still is. Gregg was the kindest, funniest, friendliest, most popular lad that you could wish to meet. This is the saddest loss of our laughing boy.""Words cannot begin to describe this great loss, and we are exceptionally proud of Gregg for everything he was and still is. Gregg was the kindest, funniest, friendliest, most popular lad that you could wish to meet. This is the saddest loss of our laughing boy."
Stone became the 417th member of UK forces to have died since operations in Afghanistan began in October 2001.Stone became the 417th member of UK forces to have died since operations in Afghanistan began in October 2001.
He joined the 3rd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment in April 2010, after completing training at the infantry training centre in Catterick.He joined the 3rd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment in April 2010, after completing training at the infantry training centre in Catterick.
He trained as a light machine gunner and sharpshooter and was later deployed with the regiment to Canada before training for Operation Herrick.He trained as a light machine gunner and sharpshooter and was later deployed with the regiment to Canada before training for Operation Herrick.
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