A soldier who was killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan has been named.

Company Sergeant Major Colin Beckett, 36, who was set to become a father for the first time later this month, died after being hit by an improvised explosive device in the village of Shaheed in Helmand province.

He was fatally wounded as he tried to cover his comrades who were intercepting Taleban insurgents on Saturday.

His commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel James Coates said: “Warrant Officer Class 2 Beckett will be remembered for many reasons. Those who worked with him saw a man with humility and a natural aptitude that set him apart. He dealt superbly with his soldiers and was immensely popular with everyone he met.”

Beckett, a Warrant Officer Class 2, who was known as 'Tom' in the Army, is the fourth soldier from 3rd Battalion, the Parachute Regiment to die since the tour of duty began in September.

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