Footballer due home from Afghanistan in weeks killed by suicide bomber

A British soldier killed when a suicide bomber rammed his armoured vehicle in Afghanistan was just days from completing his tour of duty and returning home.

Signaller Wayne Bland, 21, of 16 Signal Regiment, died from his wounds shortly after the attack on Monday afternoon in the Afghan capital Kabul, bringing the UK death toll to 115.

Two other British soldiers were wounded, while three local civilians died in the blast.

Wayne Bland's family paid tribute to a 'true hero', while his commanding officers described him as a 'superb soldier'

He was providing top-cover while travelling in a convoy of vehicles undertaking a route familiarisation patrol in Kabul when a suicide bomber detonated an explosive.

All were treated at a military hospital but Signaller Bland died as a result of his wounds.

Signaller Bland, a bachelor with no children, was a passionate footballer and fan, supporting Leeds, where he lived and had grown up.

In a statement his family described him as a 'true hero'.

Their statement, released through the MoD, said: 'Wayne was a much-loved son, grandson, brother and uncle who served his country with distinction and sadly paid the ultimate price. He was our true hero.'

Signaller Bland's Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Justin Hodges, said: 'Signaller Wayne Bland was a superb soldier, full of character and a highly popular member of 16 Signal Regiment.

'He joined the Regiment from training as a Driver Lineman in September 2006 and instantly fitted in, as only a 'Liney' knows how; with a laugh and huge sense of fun.

'A passionate footballer, he represented the Regiment on many occasions. It was abundantly clear to everyone who met Wayne that his strength and personality marked him out for a bright future in the Army.

'Wayne's death is a huge tragedy, but he was a committed soldier who understood the risks and the importance of his work, as do his friends and every soldier in the Regiment.

'This cheerful and vibrant young man will be sorely missed by his friends, but even more so by his family.

'His loss is all the more poignant for his family who were expecting him home on leave in the next few weeks.'

Signaller Bland, a Manchester United fan, was a highly-rated officer who had been praised by his colleagues in the days building up to his death, it emerged.

Lt Col Charlie Lambert, Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, and the Commanding Officer of the Kabul Garrison, said: 'Only on the day of his death, I had received a letter from a senior officer who he had driven two days earlier, saying how particularly impressed he was with the Mobile Force Protection provided and how reassured he had been that their wellbeing was taken care of at every turn.

'Wayne will be greatly missed by his comrades of all ranks, some who knew him well and others whom he had just met.

'Collectively our thoughts and prayers go to his immediate family and friends as we all remember a popular soldier who died doing his job to the highest standard in particularly challenging circumstances.'

Major Neil Coatsworth, Officer Commanding Support Squadron 16 Signal Regiment, added: 'Wayne was an extremely popular young man who did not shy away from the potential danger he faced each day on the streets of Kabul, choosing instead to confront it in his usual self-confident manner.

'He was a leader amongst his peers, a real character, and a soldier who had earned the respect of all his colleagues through his trademark exuberance.'

His colleagues described him as a family man whose 'mother was his world'.

Staff Sergeant Scott Barrie said: 'I may have lost my right-hand man, but I can only imagine what that poor lady is going through.'

Defence Secretary Des Browne, who last week acknowledged progress in Afghanistan had come at a 'high price', described him as 'the model British soldier'.