Hi °C | Lo °C A soldier killed in an explosion in Afghanistan was named last night by the Ministry of Defence as Rifleman Aidan Howell.
Rfn Howell (19), who was born in Sidcup, Kent, was nicknamed ‘Sunshine Boy’, his family said in a tribute statement.
“He may be recognised as a hero now, but to his family and everyone who was lucky enough to know him he was already a hero,” the statement said.
Rfn Howell, from 3rd Battalion, The Rifles, was killed in a blast in the Kajaki area of Helmand Province yesterday afternoon.
His family said they could not begin to express the “total and utter devastation” of their loss.
The statement added: “Aidan was a big Leeds United fan. He was known as ‘Sunshine Boy' to his family and he was a loving son, grandson, and a cheeky and cocky brother.”
