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A UK soldier shot dead by insurgents in a fire fight in southern Afghanistan was soon to become a father.Fusilier Jonathan Burgess, 20, from Swansea, of 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh, was killed in the Nad Ali area of Helmand province on Wednesday.
Comrades said he had been keen to come home to support fiancee Kelly Forrest, who is pregnant with their daughter.
The number of British military personnel killed in Afghanistan since operations began in 2001 is 281.
'Tough and dependable'
During his four-month tour of Afghanistan, Fusilier Burgess had carried out several operations while working as a member of 3 Platoon.
He was killed during fighting while on patrol with colleagues near Showal.
The town had been taken by Nato and Afghan forces in February during Operation Moshtarak.
Commanding officer Lt Col Nick Lock said Fusilier Burgess was "fiercely proud" of being part of the Welsh regiment.
He said: "He had come into his own in Afghanistan, growing in confidence throughout our time here, rising to the many challenges that operations threw at him.
"He was a tough and dependable field soldier who would always be there for his mates."
He said Fusilier Burgess's family could be "justly proud" of him and added: "Jon was killed in a fire fight with insurgents, fighting alongside his comrades as he always did with a cool head and immense courage."
'Wonderful person'
Fusilier Burgess also leaves his father Royston, mother Susan, sisters Tracy and Suzanne, and brothers David, Christopher and Ashley.
His family said: "Jonathan was a loving and caring man who enjoyed life to full. He had an infectious smile that would brighten up anyone's day.
"We were all very lucky to have had such a wonderful person in our lives.
"He was a much loved son, brother, friend and fiance and would have been an amazing father to his baby girl. He will be greatly missed by us all. He will always be our hero."
Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth said his thoughts were with Fusilier Burgess's family and colleagues.
He said: "I was saddened to hear of the death of Fusilier Burgess. He was a popular and highly capable soldier who had clearly grown into his role while in Afghanistan."This article is from the BBC News website. ? British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.