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Afghan death soldier named as Guardsman Karl Whittle | |
(35 minutes later) | |
A British soldier who died in the UK after being wounded in Afghanistan last month has been named as Guardsman Karl Whittle of The Queen's Company, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards. | A British soldier who died in the UK after being wounded in Afghanistan last month has been named as Guardsman Karl Whittle of The Queen's Company, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards. |
The 22-year-old from Bristol was shot during an insurgent attack in Nahr-e Saraj, Helmand Province, on 14 August. | The 22-year-old from Bristol was shot during an insurgent attack in Nahr-e Saraj, Helmand Province, on 14 August. |
He later died in Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, on Friday. | |
The father of one joined the Army in 2009 and deployed to Afghanistan for the first time on April 5 this year. | The father of one joined the Army in 2009 and deployed to Afghanistan for the first time on April 5 this year. |
'A great soldier' | |
His family said: "Karl was one in a million. He was a proud and caring man who took pride in whatever he did. | |
"The family are obviously devastated. Karl was the light of many lives and touched all who knew him. | |
"He will be especially missed by his baby daughter Grace, who has lost her number one man." | |
Lieutenant Colonel James Bowder, Commanding Officer of 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, described Guardsman Whittle as "one of our very best. A great soldier and a young man of rare character, he was destined to go a very long way in the Army. | |
"Big, strong and full of fight, he battled hard against his injuries right to the very end. His loss has been keenly felt in a close Battalion, and our prayers are with his family at this most difficult of times." | |
He added: "I am immensely proud of what Guardsman Whittle achieved out here in Afghanistan and more broadly during his military career. | |
"He was utterly committed to his fellow guardsmen, his company and the mission. He will never be forgotten by either the battalion or the broader regimental family." | |
'Inspired confidence' | |
After completing his combat training, Guardsman Whittle spent time conducting public duties at the Royal Palaces and taking part in state ceremonial tasks with Nijmegen Company, Grenadier Guards. | |
In August 2011, he joined 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards as part of Three Platoon, The Queen's Company, and later deployed to Afghanistan. | |
A statement from the Ministry of Defence said: "Guardsman Whittle was one of the leading lights of his Company. | |
"He was compassionate, selfless and, despite his comparative inexperience, a figure others would turn to in the face of adversity." | |
It also described him as "a soldier whose presence inspired confidence in all who were fortunate enough to know and work with him." | |
His death brings the number of UK military deaths in the Afghanistan operation, since 2001, to 426. | His death brings the number of UK military deaths in the Afghanistan operation, since 2001, to 426. |
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