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Fearless: Christopher King
The 19th British serviceman to be killed in Afghanistan this month has been named as Christopher King, 20, from West Buckland, Somerset.
Colleagues paid tribute to a "fearless soldier and ever-cheerful friend" while his parents described him as a "tremendous son".
The soldier, from 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, who was attached to 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, died in an explosion yesterday morning while on patrol in the Nad e Ali district of central Helmand province.
Guardsman King was taking part in the current Operation Panther's Claw offensive.
He was on foot attempting to clear a vulnerable area for a vehicle patrol to pass when an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was detonated. He died immediately from his injuries.
Guardsman King, 20, was born in Birkenhead, near Liverpool, but lived in West Buckland, Devon. He was not married.
He completed infantry training in August last year and soon passed a sharp shooters course.
He volunteered to serve with 1st Battalion Welsh Guards in Afghanistan earlier in the year.
His family said in a statement: "Chris was a tremendous son, he was proud to be a Guardsman and died serving his country doing a job he loved.
"We are very proud of the fact that Chris was prepared to do his duty, helping to secure a lasting peace and provide stability to the people of Afghanistan.
"We are devastated by the loss of Chris, who was a loving son and ask that the media respect our privacy and allow our family to grieve in peace."
Lieutenant Colonel Charlie Antelme, Commanding Officer 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, said: "Guardsman King will be remembered by all his friends within the Battalion as a consummate professional, undeterred by danger or hardship, who brought great spirit and humour to every task asked of him.
"The words of his brothers-in-arms from the Welsh Guards and beyond are a lasting tribute to this exceptional soldier, fearless character and ever-cheerful friend."
