Blast claims life of 'loving family man and soldier of integrity'

Sergeant Peter Rayner, 34, from 2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, died while on a patrol in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand Province on Friday.

The serviceman, from Bradford, loved being a soldier and followed in the Army footsteps of his father.

Sgt Rayner, who leaves wife Wendy and son Derek, had previously served in Bosnia and Iraq and died during a second tour of Afghanistan, according to the Ministry of Defence.

His widow paid tribute to the "fantastic loving husband and father, son, son-in-law, brother and brother-in-law, who loved his job and doing something which he believed in".

"He will be sincerely missed by all who knew him," she added.

Sgt Rayner's parents, Peter and Bernadette, said their son was an "avid" Bradford City supporter.

They added: "A keen mountain biker, he was always full of energy and was someone who enjoyed life to the full. As a soldier he loved his job and was totally committed to the Army, as well as his family and friends.

"As a son and brother, he was a fun loving and caring person of whom we are all very proud. We loved him so dearly and will miss him with all our hearts."

Comrades of Sgt Rayner, who was nicknamed Skippy, have also paid tribute to the soldier who will be remembered as a "devoted family man."

Lieutenant Colonel Robbie Boyd, Commanding Officer 2nd Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, said: "He was honest, loyal and always vocal.

"A true Lion of England and a man of high morals, guts and integrity. A man who cared not just for the morale of his soldiers, but in how that morale was created. A man with great spirit and forthrightness, who was as true as his aim was with a Javelin missile.

"He never let me down; always telling me the truth, always presenting a fresh opinion, always diplomatic and always underpinning our chats with his fine sense of humour.

"Ferocious in defence of his men and deadly with a Javelin missile, he fired as many as any operator in the Army when facing the enemy in battle."

Sgt Rayner sported a shaven head and "larger than life personality", according to Major Paul Tingey, Officer Commanding Arnhem Company, 2nd Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment. He said: "Sgt Rayner was known to everyone; he left a lasting impression on you after the first meeting. He spoke his mind and always had the best interests of his men at heart.

"I will remember Skippy as a devoted family man, a fanatical mountain biker and one of the best commanders that I have had the privilege to work with."

Sgt Rayner was born into a military family and in 1994 he joined the 1st Battalion, The King's Own Royal Border Regiment, in which his father served for most of his Army career.

Colleague and friend Captain Andy Lockwood said Sgt Rayner would never be forgotten by anyone who served with him. "Skip loved being a soldier... but his first love was his wife Wendy and son Derek."