Lance Corporal Nigel Moffett, from The Light Dragoons, died aged 28 in Afghanistan on 30 May 2009.

He was killed alongside Corporal Stephen Bolger from 1st Battalion the Parachute Regiment as a result of an explosion.

They were serving with the Brigade Reconnaissance Force.

His father, also called Nigel, paid tribute to his son, saying: "He was a gentle soul and the eldest son. He had seven brothers and sisters and his late mother always said he was the most fantastic son and he was her right arm in bringing up his siblings.

"Nigel was a career solider who wanted to make the Army his focus throughout his entire career. He made his Army his home and the Army treated him like their son.

"Nigel felt he was prepared for operations in that he was well trained and had the right tools for the job. Both he and his family understood that ultimately he could die although we didn't want this to happen. Ultimately, Nigel was a soldier."

LCpl Moffett was born in Belfast and joined the Light Dragoons in 2003. He had served in Iraq in 2003 and 2005 and in Afghanistan in 2006.

A Physical Training Instructor, he was responsible for running much of the subsequent fitness training. He brought to Brigade Reconnaissance Force knowledge of mobility procedures and long range communications and previous operational experience.

On his latest tour, he fought bravely in many engagements with the enemy, beginning with an advance against an enemy stronghold on 23 April. On 15 May, his Troop was pinned down by heavy machine gun fire; LCpl Moffett rose to the challenge and mounted his gun on a rooftop, returning fire and giving his troop the breathing space to win the firefight.

On 30 May, LCpl Moffett was taking part in an operation in Musa Qaleh, scouting a route for his troop, when he was killed In action.

Officer Commanding, C Squadron, The Light Dragoons, Major Sam Plant said: "Always on the look out for a challenge, Moff was everything that a recce soldier should be - resourceful, inquisitive, brave and determined, equally happy in both the mounted and dismounted roles.

"Moff will be hugely missed by all ranks of C Sqn, The Light Dragoons. He was universally respected as a soldier and a great friend to all of us.

"His personal fitness was nothing short of legendary and he set the standards in this department across the Regiment.

"His contribution, as a physical training Instructor, to the preparation of the soldiers of C Sqn for deployment to Afghanistan was immense.

"At the time of his death, he was knocking on the door of promotion and, in the rank of Cpl; he would have made an outstanding Formation Reconnaissance vehicle commander."

His Commanding Officer, Lt Col Gus Fair, said: "LCpl Moffett lived and breathed soldiering, and devoted himself to it.

"He relished a challenge; on physical training he would make sure that he was carrying more weight than anyone else, and preferably complete it faster than anyone else. It was not unusual to see him in camp during leave just so that he could conduct some extra training.

"He relished his role as a physical training instructor and was always the first to volunteer for a course or adventurous training. His dedication, fitness and sheer enjoyment of his work marked him out as a star of the future and a role model to the junior soldiers.

"He died at the top of his game and showed all the potential of realising his ambition of serving as a badged member of UK Special Forces."

Cpl Tony Duncan said on behalf of his friends in Command Tp: "Moff was a true soldier and a loyal friend. He was an inspiration to the rest of the Regiment and showed this by being at the front with the BRF.

"Before we came out here, Moff let it be known that if he died in Afghanistan he would be happy because he was doing the job he loved.

"He lived his life on the edge and always pushed himself to the extreme. Anyone that knew Moff would know that the Army was his life and the Regiment a second family. We will never forget him."

Away from his duties, he was keen to try his hand at everything: LCpl Moffett ran, boxed, cross country skied, hill walked and played rugby with the Regiment.

He also showed his natural leadership and physical and mental robustness on many demanding exercises.His performance on the Live Firing Test Exercise, conducted in Otterburn in January 2009, was "nothing short of outstanding", according to the MoD.