Dead soldier 'proud son of Herefordshire'
Lance Corporal Daniel Cooper
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Tuesday, 26, Jan 2010 10:08
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The British soldier killed on Sunday in Afghanistan has been named as Lance Corporal Daniel Cooper.
In a statement his mother and father said they were "proud to be his parents from the day he was born" while his commanding officer said he was a "proud son of Herefordshire".
L Cpl Cooper, from Third Battalion the Rifles, died near Sangin in Helmand from wounds he sustained as a result of an explosion on January 24th. The 21-year-old was deployed to Afghanistan in October 2009, and was promoted to L Cpl just before Christmas. On Sunday the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said he was leading a resupply patrol when an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated; critically injuring him. He later died of his wounds.
His parents Karl and Caroline Cooper described him as a "caring son, brother and partner".
"He was not just a brother but a best friend who will be sadly missed by all that knew him," they said. "Daniel, we were proud to be your parents from the day you were born."
Lieutenant Colonel Nick Kitson, his commanding officer, added: "Lance Corporal Daniel Cooper was one of the great characters of the battalion; his sense of humour and zest for life were topped only by his ability and determination. The consummate soldier, he was the complete package; fit, bright and dedicated to his work. Ever cheerful and irrepressibly positive, he shone as an example to the more junior Riflemen on how to act and what to aim for."
Major Tim Harris described the young soldier as "something of a legend" and L Cpl Cooper's comrades in the field flooded the MoD with tributes to their lost friend.
His death takes the number of UK soldiers killed in Afghanistan since 2001 to 251.