Three British soldiers killed in an explosion while on patrol in Helmand province, southern Afghanistan, have been named by the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
Fusiliers Simon Annis and Louis Carter and Lance Corporal James Fullarton were all killed in the blast on Sunday.
Paying tribute to the three soldiers, from the 2nd Battalion the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, defence secretary Bob Ainsworth described their deaths as 'truly heart-rending'.
It has emerged that Fusilier Annis was married just weeks before he was deployed to Afghanistan, and his wife today paid tribute to him.
'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,' she said.
His commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Charlie Calder, added: 'He should be seen as a shining example to the nation of what selfless commitment really means. The heartfelt condolences of every fusilier in Afghanistan go to Caroline, his wife of only a few months.'
Fusilier Carter's family also released a statement through the MoD, describing him as a 'loving and caring son'.
'Louis's childhood dream and ambition was always to join the army and ultimately serve his country. His dream was fulfilled but tragically cut short,' they said.
'Louis had many, many friends and relatives and was loved by all. He was also very aware of our love for him. We are all so proud of him. Louis will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. He will live in our hearts forever.”
Lt Col Calder also paid to tribute to L Cpl Fullarton, claiming 'he inspired confidence in all the fusiliers around him'.
'He will be sorely missed in the battalion by his many friends. However, it is to his family and in particular his fiancée, Leanne, that every fusilier in Afghanistan sends their heartfelt condolences,' he added.
Since operations began in Afghanistan in 2001, 204 British service personnel have been killed fighting a Taliban insurgency.
Fusiliers Simon Annis and Louis Carter and Lance Corporal James Fullarton were all killed in the blast on Sunday.
Paying tribute to the three soldiers, from the 2nd Battalion the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, defence secretary Bob Ainsworth described their deaths as 'truly heart-rending'.
It has emerged that Fusilier Annis was married just weeks before he was deployed to Afghanistan, and his wife today paid tribute to him.
'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,' she said.
His commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Charlie Calder, added: 'He should be seen as a shining example to the nation of what selfless commitment really means. The heartfelt condolences of every fusilier in Afghanistan go to Caroline, his wife of only a few months.'
Fusilier Carter's family also released a statement through the MoD, describing him as a 'loving and caring son'.
'Louis's childhood dream and ambition was always to join the army and ultimately serve his country. His dream was fulfilled but tragically cut short,' they said.
'Louis had many, many friends and relatives and was loved by all. He was also very aware of our love for him. We are all so proud of him. Louis will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. He will live in our hearts forever.”
Lt Col Calder also paid to tribute to L Cpl Fullarton, claiming 'he inspired confidence in all the fusiliers around him'.
'He will be sorely missed in the battalion by his many friends. However, it is to his family and in particular his fiancée, Leanne, that every fusilier in Afghanistan sends their heartfelt condolences,' he added.
Since operations began in Afghanistan in 2001, 204 British service personnel have been killed fighting a Taliban insurgency.
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