British soldier killed in Afghanistan named
Lance Cpl Jon Hetherington was 22
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Monday, 28, Aug 2006 07:55
The British soldier killed when an army base came under attack from Taliban militants in Afghanistan has been named as Lance Corporal Jonathan Peter Hetherington.
Lance Cpl Hetherington of the 14 Signal Regiment, based at Cawdor barracks, Brawdy, Pembrokeshire, died due to wounds sustained during the attack upon the platoon house at Musa Qal'eh in the early hours of Sunday morning.
No other British or Nato troops were injured in the incident, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has said, which occurred in the volatile Helmand province.
The 22-year-old from Salisbury had been in the army for almost six years and had served in Afghanistan since February after postings in Kuwait, Iraq and the Falkland Islands. He received his training as a radio systems operator at the Royal School of Signals.
Today's release from the MoD described Lance Cpl Hetherington as an "extremely conscientious, well-respected and popular junior non-commissioned officer".
Paying tribute to the 22-year-old, his commanding officer Lieutenant Steve Vickery today said: "Lance Cpl Jon Hetherington had only been in Afghanistan for a short time, in this period his commitment to his profession was first class and he stood out as a young man of stature and great enthusiasm.
"He will be fondly remembered for his amiable nature and engaging sense of humour and without doubt a very promising military career lay ahead."
Lt Vickery added that the army's thoughts were with the soldier's family, explaining that the loss of an "outstanding soldier, trusted comrade and valued friend" would be keenly felt by all.
There are about 5,000 UK troops serving in the southern Helmand province alone as part of Nato's security remit.
Eight British soldiers have died in Afghanistan during the last month, with unrest in the troubled country's southern regions showing no sign of dissipating.