Tragic coincidence for Afghanistan soldier's family

A new father who was wounded in Afghanistan has died at the same age as the uncle he was named after, who was killed in the Falklands War.

Pte Daniel Steven Prior, 27, from 2nd Battalion, the Parachute Regiment, had returned to Helmand three weeks after the birth of his son, Logan. Pte Prior, who lived in Colchester, Essex, was hit by a bomb during a patrol in a village in Nahr-e Saraj. He died on Friday in a Birmingham hospital, surrounded by his family.

Pte Prior's parents, Ian and Gillian, issued a joint statement with his wife, Emily, saying: "He was a wonderful son, husband and father. We are all tremendously proud of him and he will be sorely missed."

Pte Prior's commanding officer, Lt-Colonel Andy Harrison, said that last year he had accompanied the soldier's family to collect the Elizabeth Cross, the recognition awarded to families of the fallen, in memory of his uncle Cpl Steve Prior, who was killed by a sniper while rescuing a comrade during the battle of Goose Green.