28/07/2009

Soldier's Bodies Flown Home From Afghanistan

The bodies of four British soldiers who were killed in separate incidents in Afghanistan earlier this month, are to be flown home today.

Rifleman Aminiasi Toge, 26, Corporal Joseph Etchells, 22, Captain Daniel Shepherd, 28, and Guardsman Christopher King, 20, were all killed in Helmand Province.

The troops were among 191 who were killed in the conflict since 2001, with 22 of those killed in this month alone.

Eleven of the casualties died during a fiercely-fought offensive against the Taliban called Operation Panther's Claw - with Prime Minister Gordon Brown yesterday announcing the operation had concluded.

Hundreds of people are expected to turn out to see their bodies pass through the streets of Wootton Bassett in Wiltshire.

Meanwhile, the funerals for two other soldiers who died in the country - Captain Ben Babington-Browne, 27, and Lance Corporal David Dennis, 29 - will be held today.

(JM/BMcC)

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