Soldier killed in explosion named

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Cpl Etchells, 22, from Mossley, Greater Manchester, died on Sunday as a result of the blast in Sangin, in northern Helmand province, the Ministry of Defence said.

He was serving with The 2nd Battalion the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers and is the 186th UK serviceman to die in Afghanistan.

Cpl Etchells went to Mossley Hollins High School where he loved sport, particularly running, and he wanted a career that allowed him to stay fit.

He joined his local regiment, the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, aged just 16 and completed NVQs at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate before completing the Infantry Training Course at Catterick.

Cpl Etchells was engaged and many of those who paid tribute to him said their thoughts and prayers were with his fiancee, Julie, and their young daughter.

Fusiliers Darren Rushton and James Turnbull, 2 Platoon A Company 2 RRF, said he was an "outstanding soldier" and "a born leader" who had "left a massive gap in the Company which will never be filled".

Outside the Army "Etch" was one of the lads and always made others laugh, they said.

"Our hearts go out to his family, his fiancee and their baby girl. He would always talk about his fiancee and how he couldn't wait to get married to the woman of his dreams and watch their daughter grow up," they said in a statement.

Lieutenant Colonel Charlie Calder, Commanding Officer 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, described Cpl Etchells as "a remarkable young man" who showed a gift for soldiering.