Soldier from 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment killed in Afghanistan
It is with sadness that the Ministry of Defence must announce that a soldier from 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment, serving as part of Combined Force Nahr-e Saraj (South), was killed in Afghanistan today, Saturday 12 June 2010.
The soldier was killed in an explosion in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province following a security patrol.
Spokesman for Task Force Helmand, Lieutenant Colonel James Carr-Smith, said:
It is my sad duty to inform you that a soldier from 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment, part of 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles Battle Group, was killed this afternoon in southern Nahr-e Saraj, Helmand province.
He was part of a team that was improving the security around one of the military checkpoints when he was struck by an explosion. Selfless to the end, he will be missed by his many friends. His sacrifice will not be forgotten.
Next of kin have been informed and have asked for a period of grace before further details are released.