Bradford soldier killed in Afghanistan blast

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 yesterday.

The serviceman, from Bradford, loved being a soldier, according to his family.

A total of 340 UK troops have died since operations in Afghanistan began in 2001.

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 - also called Peter - served for most of his Army career.

He had previously served in Bosnia and Iraq and died during a second tour of Afghanistan with 2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, according to the MoD.

His wife Wendy said: "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."

As well as his wife and son Derek, Sgt Rayner leaves his parents Peter and Bernadette.

They said Sgt Rayner was an "avid" Bradford city supporter, adding: "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."

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.

"He gained my trust and admiration very early on, particularly for his leadership in Afghanistan, where he had proven himself on two separate tours this year.

"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.

"I have lost a confidante, a magnificent Javelin Missile Detachment Commander and an honourable soldier.

"My heart bleeds for Wendy and Derek who are strong members of our Regimental family based in Cyprus and I know they will be supported by their many friends there.

"Their pain is ours and their loss is shared by us all, be it here in Afghanistan or in Cyprus."

Sgt Rayner - nicknamed Skippy - 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.

"He was someone that you could rely on to tell you exactly what he thought. I always welcomed his words of advice.

"It was, however, in the quieter moments where I really got to know Skippy.

"Always over a brew, we would often talk about our families, our animals and about the plans he had for when he got home. After his family his next passion was mountain biking. He was looking forward to getting back on his bike when he got home.

"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."

Tributes poured in from comrades, including Captain Andy Lockwood, who said it was a "privilege to call Sergeant Rayner a colleague and friend".

"He will never be forgotten by anyone who served with him. His infectious good humour will be missed by us all," he said. "Skip loved being a soldier, he especially loved being a soldier in the Javelin Platoon, but his first love was his wife Wendy and son Derek.

"He constantly spoke of them and his love for his family was obvious for all."

Second Lieutenant Andy Miller, platoon commander, Arnhem Company, said: "He would often talk of his family and life back in Cyprus, where he lived with his wife Wendy and his son Derek.

"He was a keen mountain biker and had won competitions in Cyprus; he had offered to take me out when we got back."

Corporal David Sparks said: "I've never known a man quite as enthusiastic or devoted to the job.

"Skippy was always fiercely protective of his men and made every effort to help and advise anyone who approached him.

"As he always said to me, "my main priority is to get everyone back safe", and by God he meant every word of it.

"Skippy was in constant contact with his wife and son, there wasn't a day that went by where he didn't mention them to me.

"But again that was Skippy, he was just immensely proud of his family and loved them dearly."