Soldier shot in Afghanistan dies in UK hospital
A British soldier who was shot during fighting in Afghanistan and sent to a hospital in the UK for treatment has died, according to hospital officials. Kingsman Darren Deady, 22, from Bolton, was serving with the 2nd Battalion, the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, when he was shot in southern Afghanistan on 23 August. He was transported back the UK and remained in the hospital until his death on Friday.
According to a statement by Mr Deady’s family, Darren dedicated his life to the service of the British Armed Forces because he thought he could make a difference. The statement went on to say that he was extremely proud to serve in Afghanistan, and everyone that knew him knows that he will never be forgotten.
Lieutenant Colonel Robbie Boyd, Mr Deady’s first commanding officer, said that the soldier had a heart of a lion, and that no other man in the battalion was as good with a grenade launcher. Captain Bowden Williams added that Mr Deady was loyal to everyone in the camp, and he will be missed by all who had the pleasure of serving with him.
The war in Afghanistan began shortly after the 11 September attacks on the World Trade Centre and Pentagon in 2001. The total number of British servicemen killed since the war began now totals 335.