Fed: Aussie soldier named by UK Defence

AAP General News (Australia)
12-19-2008
Fed: Aussie soldier named by UK Defence

CANBERRA, Dec 19 AAP - An Australian soldier killed in Afghanistan while fighting with
British defence forces has been named as Stuart Nash, from Sydney.

The 21-year-old has been described as a promising young soldier, by UK Secretary of
Defence John Hutton.

Rifleman Nash was injured in combat on Wednesday and died during his evacuation by
a medical emergency response helicopter.

The UK Ministry of Defence said Rifleman Nash was wounded when covering his comrades
from a compound rooftop in Zarghun Kalay, in the Helmand province.

One of them, Corporal Joseph Nash (no relation), described his colleague as a "professional
and a soldier in the best traditions of Australia and Britain".

"He was shot whilst calling out target indications and returning fire, all the time
under heavy enemy fire," he said.

Rifleman Nash, who was a dual Australian-British citizen, joined his battalion in Afghanistan
three months ago.

UK military commanders described Rifleman Nash as an intelligent, ambitious soldier
who showed great potential and experience for his young age.

Mr Hutton said he was "extremely saddened" to hear of the soldier's death.

"I understand he was a most promising young soldier who served his country with courage
and honour," he said in a statement.

Shattered parents Bill and Amanda Nash said their son was doing what he most wanted
to do in life, after joining military cadets at the age of 13.

He joined the UK forces as a willing volunteer to get a better opportunity to do "real
soldiering".

A spokeswoman for the British Ministry of Defence told AAP it was unclear when Rifleman
Nash's body would be returned to Australia.

AAP srj/rl/goc/it/cdh

KEYWORD: AFGHAN AUST UPDATE (PIC AVAILABLE)

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