Corporal Peter Thorpe, who died in Afghanistan on 1 July, 2006, aged 27, was an outstanding soldier with 3rd Para Battlegroup.

He was highly respected throughout the squadron and had just been chosen for promotion to Sergeant.

He possessed exceptional trade and soldiering skills, as well as an infectious sense of humour that made him very popular with everyone in the Battlegroup.

Cpl Thorpe was also an enthusiastic and talented sportsman, who excelled in his role of Army Physical Training Instructor.

Peter Thorpe was born on 3 January, 1979, and had settled in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria. He joined the Army in August, 1995, as an apprentice tradesman in Harrogate.

After completing the communications training course at the Royal School of Signals in Blandford, Dorset, Cpl Thorpe joined 216 Parachute Signal Squadron in the 5th Airborne Brigade.

He gained his military parachutist qualification and became an airborne communicator. He deployed to Afghanistan for the first time in 2001.

Cpl Thorpe then completed a two-year tour in Northern Ireland, returning to base in Brawdy, Pembrokeshire, in January, 2006, to prepare for further operations in Afghanistan.

He had not been on tour very long when, on 1 July 2006, a rocket-propelled grenade struck the regional headquarters in Sangin, Helmand Province, killing Cpl Thorpe and his colleague L/Cpl Hashmi. A further four personnel were injured in the blast.

Cpl Thorpe was single and is survived by his family.

His Commanding Officer Steve Vickery said "Corporal Thorpe was a highly motivated, talented and tremendously popular soldier who constantly inspired those around him whatever the situation. A gifted instructor, he had acquired a huge range of military skills and qualifications and was happiest when passing on this knowledge.

"He had recently been selected for promotion to Sergeant and was keen to work in an Army Training Regiment. He undertook his role as a patrol commander with absolute professionalism in support of the 3 PARA Battlegroup in the demanding environment of Afghanistan . An outstanding man, his sad loss and that of Lance Corporal Hashmi is felt by us all."