British soldier killed was 'waiting for armour'
Updated on 17 November 2009
Rifleman Andrew Fentiman, the latest British soldier to be killed in Afghanistan, had recently blogged that he was waiting for body armour and helmets to be delivered.
Rifleman Andrew Fentiman, 23, was shot while on foot patrol near Sangin, in Helmand province, on Sunday.
He had only been serving in Afghanistan for two weeks, and in a blog he posted on 2 November, he wrote: "We are still waiting on these new body armour and helmets that were promised to us.
"You would have seen the story splashed all over the news, they said they would be ready for us but we hope they will arrive soon."
The Osprey assault armour he was referring to is less bulky than existing armour and is designed for use by frontline troops.
The Mark 7 helmet he was waiting for is more stable when fitted with night vision equipment and makes it safer to use when firing a weapon.
In September, the Ministry of Defence announced plans to send 5,000 sets of helmets and armour to Afghanistan for use by infantry soldiers, engineers, drivers, medics, dog handlers and troops who regularly leave their camps.
A further 5,000 sets are due to be sent early in 2010.
Rifleman Fentiman joined the Territorial Army in 2007 and volunteered to serve with the 3 Rifles Battle Group in Afghanistan to build on his experience.
Lieutenant Colonel Nick Kitson, commander of 3 Rifles Battle Group, said: "It was an honour and a great act of commitment that he chose to accompany us and share the burden.
"A real ambassador for the great British public that supports us so well, he was up for the challenge and gave of himself selflessly."
Major Tim Harris, officer commanding A Company of 3 Rifles, said: "He was quickly accepted as 'one of the boys' in 1 Platoon, who good-naturedly ribbed him for being 'posh' as they saw it.
"In reality, he had no airs or graces. He was prepared to endure the same privations and do the same job as everyone else, and that is why we loved him."
Lance Corporal Mathew Davies, second-in-command of Rifleman Fentiman's section, said: "To come to Afghanistan as a soldier takes courage, to volunteer takes more so."
Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth added: "It was with great sadness that I learnt of the death of Rifleman Andrew Fentiman, a man who by all accounts enjoyed Army life, and volunteered to serve in Afghanistan.
"In his short time with 3 Rifles he made his mark and earned the respect of his colleagues. My thoughts are with his family and friends at what must be a very difficult time for them."
Another British soldier, from 33 Engineer Regiment, was killed in a blast near Gereshk in Helmand on Sunday. He has yet to be named by the MoD.
