Afghanistan Death: British Soldier Named

A British soldier who died in Afghanistan on Friday, has been named by the Ministry of Defence as Sergeant Jonathan Eric Kups.

A 38-year-old father of three, Sergeant Kups joined the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in June 1992 where he trained as an electronics technician.

He died at Camp Bastion, Helmand Province whilst serving on Operation Herrick 16. His death was not thought to be due to hostile action.

In a statement, the Ministry of Defence said: "Sergeant Kups' untimely death is a great loss to his family and the Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. He leaves behind his wife and three children".

His family said: "Jonathan was a wonderful husband and loving father to three children.

"He was a loyal man with a wide circle of friends, a devoted son, son-in-law, grandson and brother."

His children added: "You're the best Dad; always in our hearts - our hero." His wife added: "I love you now, forever and always and evermore." 

Lieutenant Colonel Mark Smyth, Commanding Officer, 104 Force Support Battalion REME, said: "Sergeant Jonathan Kups, or 'Koops' as he was known, arrived at the Battalion in 2011.

"A real character, his dry and quick witted sense of humour made him a pleasure to work with and he was extremely popular across all the ranks".

Lieutenant Colonel Neil Thorpe, Commanding Officer, Theatre Equipment Support Battalion, described him as "technically brilliant".

"At the centre of electronic repair in theatre, he drove his team hard to ensure those soldiers deployed forward had the equipment they needed - he was never found wanting.

"Confident, with bags of humour, he was a SNCO who lived life to the full. His enthusiasm was infectious and he cared passionately for the technicians within his team. He was the father figure and his soldiers loved him for it."

Sergeant Kups' death was the second such incident in Afghanistan in as many days. Another UK soldier, attached to 21 Engineer Regiment, died in a shooting at Forward Operating Base Shawqat, Helmand Province.