Colour Sergeant Phillip Newman, who died on 20 September, 2007, aged 36, was a Territorial Army officer who volunteered for service in Afghanistan and had a "thirst for adventure".

He was killed, along with Private Brian Tunnicliffe, both of the Mercian Regiment, in a motor accident near a patrol base in Gereshk in the south of Afghanistan.

They were part of a two-vehicle convoy on essential re-supply duty.

CSgt Newman, of Wolston, Warwickshire, enlisted into the Territorial Army in Coventry in 1994 as a member of the 5th Battalion Royal Regiment of Fusiliers (now 4th Battalion Mercian Regiment).

He had risen quickly through the ranks and had supported the regular Army in both Afghanistan and Iraq previously.

He had recently requested to stay with the Battalion for the next two years on a full-time reserve service contract. He was going to be employed as Officer Commanding Machine Gun Platoon, an area where he had a specific expertise.

He was married to wife Stephanie with whom he had three children, Mackenzie, Josh and Tia.

His commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Ivan Yardley, said CSgt Newman was "well known throughout all ranks of the Battalion as a larger than life character and his thirst for adventure was infectious for so many of those who were close to him … he personified all that was good in a soldier, he led from the front and protected those who could not protect themselves."

Administration Officer Captain Steve Hopkinson said: "Colour Sergeant Phil Newman was a first class, staunch Fusilier who wore the hackle with pride and was admired by all. A colleague, a confidant and great friend, I will miss his sense of humour and his outlook on life. A man who placed family first, he will be sadly missed."

Colleague and friend, Sergeant Billy Henry said: "A harder working or more dedicated senior non commissioned officer you could not find. He was a close genuine friend, with a great sense of humour and a loving family man. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him."

His wife, Stephanie, described her husband as "a loving husband and a brilliant father" who "took great pride in all of his achievements".