A 21-year-old soldier was shot dead at the military practice ground in Kent, who was also to become a father.

Fusilier Dean Griffiths, who was working with 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh, was killed on Wednesday, at the Ministry of Defence ground at Romney Marsh.

Dean's brother was quoted as saying "Dean was fun-loving and caring, and was so excited at becoming a father". He said Dean touched the lives of so many and added "we will all miss our Deano."

An investigation is being carried out in the shooting, which was believed to have happened during a military session with ammunition. Kent Police is working closely with the Army and Health and Safety Executive.

Stephen Webb, Commanding Officer of 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh, Lieutenant Colonel, said the whole battalion was highly saddened by the demise of Dean.

He said "Dean was an intelligent, fit and skillful, and an outstanding soldier with the potential for a long and very successful career in The Royal Welsh."

However, this was not the first case where a solder was killed during a military practice session.

Five years ago, a 20-year-old Guardsman Ian Wright, who served with the 1<sup>st Battalion Grenadier Guards, was shot by a single gunshot in the head during a practice session at the same firing range.