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Killed soldier was from N Ireland
2011-03-11 02:23:21
11 March 2011 Last updated at 07:42 Share this page Delicious Digg Facebook reddit StumbleUpon Twitter Email Print L/Cpl Stephen McKee named as Afghanistan death soldier L/Cpl McKee was working to disrupt insurgents when he died Continue reading the main story UK troops in Afghanistan Military deaths in Afghanistan A family of Afghanistan's fallen Deaths throw spotlight on mission In our own words
A soldier from 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment killed in Afghanistan on Wednesday has been named as L/Cpl Stephen McKee.
The 27-year-old from Banbridge, County Down, was taking part in an operation in the Nad Ali area of Helmand province when his vehicle hit a roadside bomb.
The Ministry of Defence paid tribute to a "fine soldier, trustworthy and courageous".
The number of UK personnel killed in Afghanistan since 2001 stands at 359.
L/Cpl McKee leaves behind his wife Carley, his parents Heather and Bobby, his brothers Michael, Gareth and Robert, and his sisters Kelly and Rebecca.
Lt Col David Eastman, spokesman for Task Force Helmand, said L/Cpl McKee had been part of a group working to disrupt insurgent activity when the blast happened.
The 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment is based in Tern Hill, Shropshire.
The MoD said L/Cpl McKee had strong family connections with the regiment, with two brothers, a cousin and his father-in-law all serving in the First Battalion, and with another brother serving in the Second Battalion.
"He always had time for everyone. He was a family-man and showed enormous strength, particularly during a very difficult time last year when his two-day-old daughter passed away," the statement continued.
Carley McKee, paying tribute to her husband, said: "You will always be my hero and every step I take in life, I will have my two angels looking after me.
"You truly are the best husband, father, son and brother anyone could ask for. Till we meet again. Love you always."
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