A FAMILY have paid tribute to their son, who died in England when he was supposed to be with his comrades in Afghanistan.

Private Rory McWilliams, of Colchester-based 2nd Battalion the Parachute Regiment, died on Saturday after suffering head injuries in an assault the previous weekend.

His stepfather, Precious Akins Akintoye, said: “Words cannot describe our loss. Rory was a great son, a loving brother and a wonderful father.

“He was unassuming, a joy to be with and someone you would like to be with you if you were down.

“A son any parent would be proud of, a gentle giant always proud to be a paratrooper and ready to serve his country.

“He was always ready to help people and loved by all. Anyone with a son, brother or father must feel our pain.

“This is terrible tragedy with a massive void in our life that cannot be filled. Anyone with information or a conscience must assist the police.”

Pte McWilliams, originally from Northampton but based in Colchester, was due to go out as an Army medic and was celebrating his final weekend at home, on February 6, when he was assaulted outside a takeaway.

Other members of his family, including Royal Marine Matthew McWilliams and mother Christine Akintoye, have appealed for witnesses to come forward.

Royal Marine McWilliams said: “I know 100 per cent there were two innocent bystanders who would have seen the assault.

“They went to see if he was OK and once I arrived I told them they could go.”

A Facebook site set up in his memory already has about 1,000 members, with friends remembering the Para as a “true hero”.

Two weeks ago Pte McWilliams had spoken to the Gazette about his upcoming tour and how he was “raring to go”.

He said: “I am not scared. I have just done six months on the medic course so I am fully trained and will be going on patrols.”