This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-27186209

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Tributes to Afghanistan helicopter crash servicemen Tributes to Afghanistan helicopter crash servicemen
(35 minutes later)
Tributes have been paid to two Welsh serviceman who died alongside three others in a helicopter crash in southern Afghanistan.Tributes have been paid to two Welsh serviceman who died alongside three others in a helicopter crash in southern Afghanistan.
Capt Thomas Clarke, 30, from Cowbridge, was described as a "rising star" of the Army Air Corps.Capt Thomas Clarke, 30, from Cowbridge, was described as a "rising star" of the Army Air Corps.
The family of army reservist L/Cpl Oliver Thomas, 26, from Brecon paid tribute to an "amazing person". The family of army reservist L/Cpl Oliver Thomas, 26, from Brecon, paid tribute to an "amazing person".
An investigation has begun into how the Lynx helicopter came down in Kandahar province on Saturday.An investigation has begun into how the Lynx helicopter came down in Kandahar province on Saturday.
The aircraft went down in the Takhta Pul district of Kandahar, some 30 miles from the Pakistan border.The aircraft went down in the Takhta Pul district of Kandahar, some 30 miles from the Pakistan border.
The Ministry of Defence said the accident happened during "a routine flight" and that the crash site, close to Kandahar airfield, had been cordoned off. The Ministry of Defence said the accident happened during "a routine flight" and the crash site, close to Kandahar airfield, had been cordoned off.
Warrant Officer Class 2 Spencer Faulkner and Cpl James Walters from the Army Air Corps also died in the crash, along with RAF intelligence officer Flt Lt Rakesh Chauhan.Warrant Officer Class 2 Spencer Faulkner and Cpl James Walters from the Army Air Corps also died in the crash, along with RAF intelligence officer Flt Lt Rakesh Chauhan.
'Rising star''Rising star'
Following the announcement of their deaths, the MoD paid tribute to the serviceman. Capt Clarke was described by his army superiors as an "exceptional aviator and forthright leader" who always placed himself at the centre of squadron life.
Cpt Clarke was described by his army superiors as an "exceptional aviator and forthright leader" who always placed himself at the centre of squadron life.
One tribute read: "His brightness, character, humility and charm will be remembered by all. He brought a smile to people's faces and I was fortunate enough to have worked with him at RAF Odiham as well as in Afghanistan.One tribute read: "His brightness, character, humility and charm will be remembered by all. He brought a smile to people's faces and I was fortunate enough to have worked with him at RAF Odiham as well as in Afghanistan.
"A rising star of the Army Air Corps his loss will be deeply felt and I feel honoured and privileged to have called him a friend."A rising star of the Army Air Corps his loss will be deeply felt and I feel honoured and privileged to have called him a friend.
"He will be deeply missed by the air detachment and by his squadron. My thoughts and prayers are with his loving wife Angie and his family and friends at this difficult time," a statement from the commander of the deployed Lynx detachment said."He will be deeply missed by the air detachment and by his squadron. My thoughts and prayers are with his loving wife Angie and his family and friends at this difficult time," a statement from the commander of the deployed Lynx detachment said.
Cpt Clarke's family said they were devastated by his death. In a statement, Capt Clarke's family said: "Tom brought so much happiness and love to everyone he knew with his sparkling blue eyes and cheeky smile.
"Tom brought so much happiness and love to everyone he knew with his sparkling blue eyes and cheeky smile.
"He had an absolute passion for life and was the best part of us; we are all poorer today without him. 'We carry your heart, we carry it in our heart'," their statement said."He had an absolute passion for life and was the best part of us; we are all poorer today without him. 'We carry your heart, we carry it in our heart'," their statement said.
'Bright and gifted''Bright and gifted'
L/Cpl Thomas, was a researcher for Brecon and Radnorshire MP Roger Williams, and joined the army reserves in 2011. L/Cpl Thomas, a researcher for Brecon and Radnorshire MP Roger Williams, joined the army reserves in 2011.
His commanding officer described him as a "young, enthusiastic and highly capable" soldier. His commanding officer said he was a "young, enthusiastic and highly capable" soldier.
Another tribute read: "Lance Corporal Oli Thomas was the embodiment of his generation - bright, gifted with an enquiring mind and laser focused on the task in-hand.Another tribute read: "Lance Corporal Oli Thomas was the embodiment of his generation - bright, gifted with an enquiring mind and laser focused on the task in-hand.
"The bonus for us was that he was also blessed with a natural flair and the happy-knack of always being able to raise a smile with his keen sense of wit."The bonus for us was that he was also blessed with a natural flair and the happy-knack of always being able to raise a smile with his keen sense of wit.
"The future and uncertainty did not disturb him. He only saw opportunity ahead and, ultimately, it was his irresistible addiction to the life-force that took him away.""The future and uncertainty did not disturb him. He only saw opportunity ahead and, ultimately, it was his irresistible addiction to the life-force that took him away."
L/Cpl Thomas was described by his family as an "amazing person" who lived life to the full and followed his dreams.
"He was very much loved and will be greatly missed by his grieving family and friends," they added.
Roger Williams MP said it was a pleasure working alongside L/Cpl Thomas and said he would miss him dearly.Roger Williams MP said it was a pleasure working alongside L/Cpl Thomas and said he would miss him dearly.
"We were all so proud of him when he first joined the Army reserves. His integrity and strength of character made him a perfect ambassador for our country," he said."We were all so proud of him when he first joined the Army reserves. His integrity and strength of character made him a perfect ambassador for our country," he said.
The crash is the first fatal accident of the Afghan conflict involving a UK military helicopter and takes the number of British personnel killed in the conflict to 453.The crash is the first fatal accident of the Afghan conflict involving a UK military helicopter and takes the number of British personnel killed in the conflict to 453.
The MoD said it did not know how long it would take investigators to report back on what happened.The MoD said it did not know how long it would take investigators to report back on what happened.