UK soldiers killed in Afghanistan named
Private Johan Botha (left) and Sergeant Craig Brelsford
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Sunday, 09, Sep 2007 08:57
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has named the two British soldiers killed in southern Afghanistan yesterday as Sergeant Craig Brelsford and Private Johan Botha.
Both soldiers, from Second Battalion the Mercian Regiment, were killed yesterday at 00:45 local time (21:15 BST Friday) following a Taliban ambush in Garmsir, Helmand province.
Two other UK soldiers were seriously wounded in the ensuing firefight, while an MoD statement said that many Taliban fighters were killed.
The army paid tribute to 25-year-old Sgt Brelsford, from Nottingham, by describing him as a "hugely-popular man" that led from the front.
Lieutenant Colonel Simon Banton, his commanding officer, said: "It is unsurprising that he fell while attempting to rescue wounded soldiers under enemy fire.
"Junior soldiers were inspired by him and aspired to follow the example he set. He was assured a bright future and had an enormous amount of potential. His death is keenly felt across the battalion. He will be sorely missed."
Pretoria-born Pte Botha, who was serving in his first overseas deployment, was dubbed by Major James Novell of the battalion's A company as the "archetypal South African".
"His natural talent for soldiering was obvious and I would have difficulty picturing him working in any other environment," Maj Novell said.
"On the flip side he was a devoted family man; the strong bond and sense of responsibility he held for his wife and daughter were humbling.
"Pte Botha was fortunate enough to have two important families; the one he left at home and missed each and every day – and the one he lived and fought with in Afghanistan. He made incredible sacrifices for each of these family units and fought for them both with passion, pride and devotion."
Commenting on the death of the two soldiers, the 77th and 78th to die in Afghanistan since the US-led invasion in 2001, defence secretary Des Browne said: "These brave men have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and I am sure that they will be sorely missed by all who knew them.
"I would like to offer my sincere condolences to their families and friends, who are in my thoughts at this difficult time."