Rifleman Adrian Sheldon, 25, of the 2nd Battalion The Rifles, was killed when his Jackal patrol vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device near Sangin in Helmand Province on 7 May, 2009.

Rifleman ‘Shelly’ Sheldon first joined the battalion in March, 2001, having completed training at the Army Foundation College Harrogate and the Infantry Training Centre Catterick.

He served on operations in Sierra Leone, Northern Ireland, Kosovo and Iraq. He then left the Army, to try something else, and spent time working in IT recruitment and for a driving agency. But it soon became clear that life as a 'civvie' was not for him and he returned to the battalion in time to begin pre-deployment training for Afghanistan.

He served in 8 Platoon, the Fire Support Platoon in B Company, 2 Rifles. A Rifleman first and foremost, he was an extremely well-qualified driver and, got stuck in to the task of learning the JACKAL, the vehicle he was to drive in Afghanistan. He set about learning his new job at the double and with an enviable alacrity. When not driving the JACKAL, he also took his place in a Rifle Section as Machine Gunner.

Rfn Sheldon came from Kirkby-in-Ashfield in Nottinghamshire and was an avid Mansfield Town supporter, following the Stags from a young age. He also supported Manchester United – an unprecedented mix. He also enjoyed rugby, socialising with friends, and TV sports especially darts. Rfn Sheldon was survived by his parents, Mark and Diane Sheldon, and his younger sister, Amy.

His family released the following statement: "Adrian was our son best mate our hero, the light of our lives has gone out and never to be replaced."

Spokesman for Task Force Helmand, Lieutenant Colonel Nick Richardson, said: "Today has been a sad day in the history of Task Force Helmand and this death has deeply moved us.

"The loss of a soldier, friend and colleague is tragic and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time."

Three other soldiers lost their lives in Afghanistan on the same day.