The parents of a 21-year-old soldier who died suddenly after being taken ill in Afghanistan spoke of their "beautiful brave boy" following his death on 7 June, 2009.

Lance Corporal Taran Cheeseman of the 4th Battalion the Rifles, died just a week after he arrived in Camp Bastion.

He had suffered stomach pains before he went away and was found to have developed a particularly fast-moving form of cancer.

Dad Steven, and mum Tracey were with him during his last few days after he was flown back to Birmingham.

The Mansfield soldier, known as 'Tay' or 'Cheesy', is believed to have died from an aggressive form of cancer – lymphoma or leukaemia – from which he had no chance of surviving.

Steven said: "He was a legend. He was confident but never cocky with it. He would have a go at anything, he was very brave.

"But he passed away in no pain, he didn't know what was happening."

L/Cpl Cheeseman joined the Army in 2005 after attending Intake Farm Primary School and Nursery, Cumberland Middle School and Queen Elizabeth's Comprehensive.

He served a six-month tour of Iraq in 2007 and this had been his first in Afghanistan.

The avid Chelsea fan was also a keen footballer, having played for Mansfield Town from 13 to 15 years old and for Forest when he was 12.

Steven said his son was suffering from stomach pains before he went away on 30 May.

"But Tay said he wanted to go to Afghanistan to look after his boys," he said.

When he arrived in Afghanistan L/Cpl Cheeseman became seriously ill and was treated at the camp's hospital.

Originally doctors thought he had a ruptured spleen but as he stepped on to the plane to fly back to Birmingham he collapsed. He remained unconscious until his death. A CT scan found his lymph nodes were swollen and doctors even tried giving him chemotherapy. But eventually his life-support machine was switched off.

L/Cpl Cheeseman's funeral was at St Philip Neri's Church followed by a burial. He had full military honours.

Tracey said: "There were people standing up and people outside. It was a brilliant send off for him, we couldn't have asked for better."

His best friend from the regiment read a tribute, his Commanding Officer Major Nathan Teale gave the eulogy and his mum read a poem she had written for him.

L/Cpl Cheeseman was survived by his girlfriend and their two children, as well as an older brother and three younger sisters.