British soldier Private Robert Hayes became the 246th service person to die in Afghanistan on 3 January, 2010.

The young private, a member of 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, had been in the army less than a year, but had already established a reputation as a “hugely professional, courageous and thoughtful” soldier.

The 19-year-old was also a successful boxer in army competitions, winning his weight category during his battalion's 2009 Inter-Company Boxing Championships.

Pte Hayes, died as a result of an improvised explosive device blast while conducting a security patrol in southern Nad e-Ali, Helmand province.

He was employed as a Rifleman within 6 Platoon, C (Essex) Company. He was responsible for providing assistance and security to the local population which included conducting patrols to disrupt insurgent activity in one of Helmand province's most challenging and dangerous areas.

Robert Hayes was born in Cambridge on 9 May, 1990, and joined the army at 18.

The Ministry of Defence said: “Without doubt he had the personal attributes and raw potential to have a full and successful career in the Army.”

In a statement his family said: “Trying to express the true measure of our sorrow - and our sense of loss - at this time, is impossible. We are still coming to terms with this devastating news. However, we are strengthened by the thought that he was with his comrades, doing the job he so dearly loved, when his life was taken.

"From childhood, Robbie had one ambition, to be a soldier. He fulfilled his dream, last February, passing out from training, at Catterick, where he was described as a man of great determination and a credit to his platoon.

"Sport; particularly rugby and boxing, became his passion. He was a very popular young player, for Newmarket Rugby Club, and won his Battalion's Boxing Championships, at Welter Weight, in his first attempt. Robbie loved all aspects of life, in his home village, Burwell, in Cambridgeshire. Among his peers he enjoyed great popularity but found particular happiness with his girlfriend, Gemma.

"After training for Afghanistan he deployed to Helmand province last October. There his potential for promotion became noticeable. Robbie sincerely believed his fellow 'Vikings' were his 'other', military, family. Although he had an enthusiastic and energetic personality, our son could just as easily behave with the manners of a gentle, reflective, caring person.

"As a grieving family, we would ask that our privacy be respected. We also ask that our brave son's memory be duly honoured."

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