A young soldier who was killed in action in Afghanistan has been described as “one of life’s great stars”.

Lance Corporal Nigel Moffett, attached to the Light Dragoons Regiment, died following an explosion in Musa Qaleh, in Helmand province.

The 28-year-old soldier, originally from Holywood, Co Down, lost his life on May 30, alongside Corporal Stephen Bolger, of 1 Para, a member of the Parachute Regiment. They were both serving with the Brigade Reconnaissance Force.

Cpl Moffett was buried at Redburn Cemetery, Holywood, yesterday with full military honours.

He was laid to rest in a plot alongside his mother, Elaine, who died five years ago, after losing her battle with cancer.

Regimental Lieutenant Colonel Angus Watson, former CEO of the Light Dragoons, paid a poignant tribute to his fallen colleague after the burial.

“He was a great friend to many,” he said. “He looked after the junior soldiers in the regiment fantastically well.

“He was an all-round team player, a good bloke and family man. Just one of life’s great stars.”

Lt Col Watson said he would personally miss many things about ‘Moff’ (as he was nicknamed), who was based in Swanton Morley, England.

“[I will miss] his infectious sense of humour,” he said.

“His physical attributes; not many in the regiment [are] as physically able as him.

“On a personal level, he helped my wife run a sports club for children in the camp on Monday evenings and he was a fantastic children’s entertainer.

“Certainly my three children reaped the benefits of being run over assault courses and what have you, so on a personal level that’s something I will remember.”

Following a Mormon funeral service at 12pm at the Church of Jesus of Latter Day Saints, Belfast, the funeral cortege made its way to Redburn shortly before 2pm.

Soldiers from his regiment carried the coffin, draped in a Union Jack flag, with his red cap and a red wreath, to its final resting place. Up to 100 mourners gathered in the pouring rain to join his family in saying their final farewells, as a volley of gun shots pierced the dark skies.

Cpl Moffett’s father, Nigel snr, led the funeral procession, accompanied by his wife Carol, and followed by their other sons and daughters.

In an emotional scene at the end of the service, a dignified Mr Moffett cast a white rose into the grave as he said a personal goodbye to his son.

Cpl Moffett, one of eight children and two stepchildren, joined the army in 2003.

Having twice served in Iraq, he was deployed to Afghanistan for a second time in early April on Operation Herrick.

Mourners at the funeral were told Cpl Moffett was immediately at the forefront of the action as the driver of one of the lead vehicles in his troop. And they heard he died in action as he was scouting a route for his troop.

“He died at the top of his game and showed all the potential of realising his ambition of serving as a badged member of the UK Special Forces. His dedication, fitness and sheer enjoyment of his work marked him out as a star of the future and a role model to junior soldiers. He was an outstanding soldier and friend.”