Sergeant Lee Johnson was a dedicated and passionate soldier with the 2nd Battalion, The Yorkshire Regiment, who died in an explosion during operations in Afghanistan on the morning of 8 December, 2007.

The explosive device, believed to be a mine, detonated killing Sgt Johnson and injuring another soldier in the same vehicle during the operation to recapture Musa Qaleh, described by the Army as the last significant town under Taliban control, in the Helmand Province, southern Afghanistan.

He left behind a fiancée, his son Ashley and a two-and-a-half year old daughter Lilly. He had cancelled leave to take part in the Musa Qaleh assault.

Sgt Johnson, 33, who was born on 7 June, 1974, was from Stockton-on-Tees. He began his military career in 1990 after leaving school and had served in Canada, Germany, Belize and Northern Ireland, also seeing combat action in Yugoslavia and Afghanistan.

He served almost all his Army career with B Company and following his recent promotion he had been appointed Platoon Sergeant. He represented the battalion at boxing and the Army at judo, earning him the nickname ‘Judo Jonno’. He was also known as ‘Mad Dog’ to Army colleagues.

He had been serving in Afghanistan as a member of the Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team which had been training the Afghan National Army. The operation to take Musa Qaleh was a combined effort between the Afghan, UK and US forces, led by NATO.

Sgt Johnson had previously served with C Company 40 Commando in Afghanistan and described his time in the country as the best of his Army career. His brother, a Lance Corporal with the same Battalion, was also serving in Afghanistan at the time.

Lt Col Simon Downey MBE, Commanding Officer of 2nd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment, said: "Sgt Johnson was one of life’s great gems. A huge personality and a supreme soldier, he had a zest for life that took all before him. Energetic, deeply professional, warm and encouraging, he could get the best from anyone by inspiration, by his unfailing humour, by his example and his sheer determination.

"It was typical that he died taking charge of a difficult situation and driving it on. Wherever he went, whatever he did, he made a difference, and always with that great style of his. His loss robs the battalion he loved of one of its great lights, a comrade regarded with tremendous affection and respect; but he, of all of us, would not have had us falter."

Colour Sergeant Elsdon of 2nd Battalion, The Yorkshire Regiment, said: "I knew Lee ‘Mad Dog’ Johnson for 15 years; he was an excellent soldier and friend. The keenest soldier I have ever met, he was utterly dedicated to the Army, his regiment, but most of all to his family and fiancée Lisa, young daughter Lilly and son Ashley."

His sister, Cassandra, said: "I can't believe that I have lost my brother, a boy who was 16-and-a-half years old, crying the night before he joined the Army, scared to leave home. But after 18 years of serving his country has now lost his life fighting for what he thought was right. I am so proud of him. In mine and my family's eyes he is a hero. He went into the Army a little boy and came out as a man."

Sgt Johnson's fiancée Lisa said: "My Lee lived for the Army and his family. He was a soldier first and a father and fiancée second. He loved his job, it's all he talked about. I didn't mind though, it's part of the reason I loved him. Our wedding was planned for 1 August and we were so excited and happy. He had everything to look forward to.

"He said being with his family was what was going to get him through his six-month tour. He told me his leave was cancelled earlier this month but I knew he had offered to stay and take part in this operation against the Taliban. That's what made him the soldier he was, dedicated, professional and always in the thick of it."