Rifleman Cyrus Thatcher, from 2nd Battalion The Rifles, was killed in Afghanistan on 2 June, 2009.

He died as a result of an explosion whilst on a patrol near Gereshk in Helmand Province.

The 19-year-old from Caversham in Reading joined 2nd Battalion The Rifles in December 2007. He undertook exercises on Salisbury Plain and showed great promise from the outset, winning a battalion award for valour.

He trained as an infantry mentor at Catterick before being deployed on his first operational tour to Kosovo in 2008. He then returned to the UK for pre-deployment training as his company prepared to go to Afghanistan, again standing out in exercises.

Aside from the army, his passions included supporting Manchester United and spending time with his two brothers and his parents.

His family released a statement saying: “Cyrus was a much-loved son and brother whose loss we will never recover from. He loved his job and was proud to serve his country. We will always be immensely proud of him. He will forever be in our hearts and minds.”

Lieutenant Colonel Rob Thomson of 2 Rifles, paid his own tribute: “As his commanding officer, I count it a privilege of the highest order to have known Rifleman Thatcher. His life was one of such promise and he is sorely missed. But I know that our sadness is nothing compared to that of his dearly loved and hugely supportive parents and proud brothers.

“His family is right at the very centre of our prayers at this unimaginably difficult time. Rifleman Thatcher would have been the first to tell us to get back up 'on the ramparts' and that is where this battle group is and will remain.”

Major Alastair Field said: "Rifleman Thatcher was an outstanding 19-year-old rifleman who simmered with potential. Readily accepted and respected by all ranks, Rifleman Thatcher was arguably one of the best in my company.

“He had it all - a fit, strong and intelligent exterior and a caring but wicked sense of humour beneath. A ray of morale always shone through, whatever the weather and circumstances. No job was too tough. His platoon, company, battalion and the British Army have lost a rising star and personality."

His friend Rifleman Stuart Elliot, said: "It was an honour to have known Cyrus and to have fought with him on the battlefield. It won't be same without him and I know his friends, family and loved ones will miss him greatly.

"He was a great friend and never failed to keep morale high. Whenever times were hard, you could count on him to be cracking the jokes. He gave his life doing what he loved.

“When he first joined the Platoon, he was quiet and shy but it didn't take him long to show his true colours for the rascal he really was. He soon started the practical jokes and that is the way we will always remember him; his memory lives on - forever.

“He made me promise that people would remember him the way he was, not to feel sorry for him but to remember the good times, the times he was always laughing and the jokes he made.

“Goodbye my brother, rest well, for one day we will meet again to continue the jokes.”