UK soldiers killed in blast named
Three soldiers killed in a blast in Afghanistan ahead of this week's elections have been named by the Ministry of Defence.
Fusilier Simon Annis, from Salford, Fusilier Louis Carter, from Nuneaton, Warwickshire, and Lance Corporal James Fullarton, from Coventry, were all members of the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers and died in an explosion near Sangin.
Major Mick McCarthy, of the 2nd Battalion, said their deaths were a "devastating blow" following on from the deaths of two other soldiers within their company
Chancellor Alistair Darling said: "It is very important that we ensure that we see this process through. We have got to have a democratically elected government in Afghanistan that can protect its people, that can ensure that it can get the political change that is necessary as well as working with other countries to get security, not just for that region, but for the rest of us."
L/Cpl Fullarton, who was known as Fully to his friends, had got engaged to his girlfriend Leanne during his last leave and had been planning to marry next year. Lieutenant Colonel Rob Thomson, of Second Rifles Battlegroup, paid tribute, saying he was a "rock to his men".
Fusilier Annis married his wife Caroline in February this year, just weeks before he deployed to Afghanistan. She said: "Simon was the perfect husband, son and brother. He will be sorely missed by all of us. He was a true hero who made all of us so very proud and he will always have a place in our hearts. We will love and miss him always."
Fusilier Carter died while trying to save his fallen commander, Lance Corporal Fullarton. His Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Charlie Calder, said: "Fusilier Louis Carter gave his young life just as he was embarking on his career with the Fusiliers. He sacrificed his life attempting to save his section commander. This act of selfless commitment from one so young should be a shining example to the nation."
Meanwhile, the first Elizabeth Cross has been presented to the widow of a soldier killed in Afghanistan.
Karen Upton received the medal before the funeral of her husband, Warrant Officer Sean Upton, 35, at Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire. WO Upton, originally from Nottingham, died in an explosion as he was on foot patrol in the Sangin district of Helmand province last month. He had been in the Army for 19 years.
Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth announced the establishment of the Elizabeth Cross in July. It is to be awarded to the next if kin of armed forces personnel killed on active service, or as a result of terrorism, in a mark of national recognition of their loss.
