Fallen Soldier Was 'Bravest Of The Brave'

A British soldier killed during a mission to rescue a kidnapped policeman in Afghanistan has been described as "the bravest of the brave" and an "inspiration".

Private Gregg Thomas Stone , 20, was shot dead as he and colleagues saved Abdul Walid from extremists who had captured him at a checkpoint.

The young soldier, from 3rd Battalion, The Yorkshire Regiment, was killed on Sunday in the Nar-e-Seraj district of Helmand province. He had been in the country less than a month.

He was the 417th member of UK forces to have died since operations in Afghanistan began in October 2001.

Pte Stone, from Hull, joined the 3rd Battalion in April 2010, after completing training at the Infantry Training Centre in Catterick.

He leaves his wife, Samantha, who is expecting their first child. She paid tribute to him saying: "Gregg and I were childhood sweethearts and we met at school - he was my soulmate.

"He was a brilliant husband and a family man who loved his family. He was always the one to want to make us laugh - he always cheered everyone up.

"He was proud to be a soldier and for what he had achieved in his work. He would also want me to mention his dog Benji, who he loved to bits."

The soldier's mother, Angela, father, Robert, brothers, Kallum, Jamie and Graeme, and sisters, Rosie and Jennie, said: "He will always be a true hero in all our hearts.

"Anyone who was blessed enough to have known him will know how much of a credit to his friends and family he was.

"Gregg was the kindest, funniest, friendliest, most popular lad that you could wish to meet. This is the saddest loss of our laughing boy."

Corporal Michael Watson, Section Commander 6 Platoon, said: "He was always the first to volunteer for the next day's patrol; the bravest of the brave.

"Private Stone was more a friend to me than a colleague. He will be missed dearly as we have lost a real character."

Lieutenant Colonel Zac Stenning, Commanding Officer, 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment, commended Pte Stone "who died protecting the lives of others".

He said: "He was respected and admired by his fellows, as someone who was totally selfless and cared deeply for others."

Warrant Officer Class II Liam Seviour, Company Sergeant Major, described Pte Stone as "an inspiration to us all".

"Whenever anyone was down he would raise their spirits," he said.