Inquest for Kent soldier
by David Johns (@davidjohns_itv)The inquest has begun into the death of Sapper Mark Antony Smith from Kent. He served with Maidstone's 36 Engineers and was killed in Afghanistan. David Johns reports.
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Soldier charged with assaulting teenager
A soldier has been charged with sexually assaulting a teenager near to a railway station. The 18-year-old woman was allegedly attacked in New Park Avenue, Bexhill, East Sussex, as she walked away from the town's railway station at about 3.40am on August 19, a Sussex Police spokesman said.
The spokesman said: "As a result of intensive police inquiries since Sunday, the arrest was made on Saturday August 25."
Trevor Anthony Clark, 20, a serving soldier stationed at Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, who has been staying in Buckhurst Road, Bexhill, has been charged with sexual assault and causing actual bodily harm. He will appear at Hastings Magistrates' Court tomorrow.
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A soldier's courage
A soldier who lost both his legs in Afghanistan is preparing to ride a vintage motorbike through Britain.
Read the full storyReaction to soldier deaths
Two soldiers serving with the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards and one serving with the Royal Corps of Signals have been killed in an incident at a check point in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. On leaving the check point, they were engaged by small arms fire by a man wearing an Afghan Police uniform.
– Defence Secretary, Philip HammondI was saddened to hear of this cowardly act by a man wearing an Afghan uniform, which has taken the lives of three brave British soldiers. All of our thoughts are with the families of these men who have died in such tragic circumstances. They gave their lives protecting Britain’s national security, helping to make sure that Afghanistan never again becomes a haven for international terrorism.
– General Sir David Richards, Chief of the Defence StaffI was in Afghanistan with British troops last week where these deaths will be felt keenly. At the same time, I know that the resolve of those on operations will be unshaken. Generally, there remains a high level of trust between the Afghan forces and their British counterparts with whom they work and live every day. Every time I visit Afghanistan and I am struck by the progress we are making alongside the Afghans in building a country increasingly able to stand on its own two feet. Attacks like this will not stop us from moving forward.”
MOD announces death of Dorset-based soldier
Two soldiers serving with the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards and one serving with the Royal Corps of Signals have been killed in an incident at a check point in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
– Major Ian LawrenceTheir loss will be felt deeply across Task Force Helmand. However, this will be nothing compared to the grief experienced by the soldiers’ families. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this extremely difficult time."
Airman killed in Afghanistan
Corporal McCarthy was assigned to RAF Brize Norton in July 2009 where he volunteered to deploy with 174 Provost Company, 3rd Regiment Royal Military Police as part of the Theatre Provost Group.
During his pre-deployment training Corporal McCarthy showed an aptitude for mentoring and was a natural choice to embed with the Welsh Guards as part of the Police Mentoring Advisory Group.
Corporal McCarthy leaves behind his father John, mother Sarah, sister Jodie, his partner Sarah and his niece Miajay and nephew Kyron.
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Family pay tribute to airman
Corporal McCarthy leaves behind his father John, mother Sarah, sister Jodie, his partner Sarah and his niece Miajay and nephew Kyron.
– Corporal McCarthy's familyBrent was a loving sensitive young man. He excelled at sport and had the whole world in front of him. He loved his family dearly and will always be a hero to his niece Miajay. Brent will be sadly missed not only by us but also by his loving partner Sarah and her devoted family. Life will never be the same for any of us. We will love you always. God bless."
RAF Brize Norton airman killed
An airman based at RAF Brize Norton was one of two servicemen killed in Afghanistan. Corporal Brent John McCarthy and Lance Corporal Lee Thomas Davies, from the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, were shot by someone dressed as a member of the Afghan Police Force in Helmand province on Saturday.
They were serving as part of an advisory team and were providing security for a meeting with local officials when the attack happened. Cpl McCarthy was assigned to RAF Brize Norton in July 2009, where he volunteered to deploy with 174 Provost Company, 3rd Regiment Royal Military Police.
Soldier killed on patrol
The soldier was serving as part of Combined Force Nahr-e-Saraj (North), on a patrol to disrupt insurgent movements in the area, when he was killed as a result of small arms fire.
– Major Ian LawrenceSadly, I must report that today a soldier from 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards has died of a gunshot wound sustained while on patrol in the Nahr-e-Saraj district of Helmand Province. The thoughts and prayers of all in the Task Force and Combined Force are with his family and friends at this tragic time**.
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