Grandmother distraught as soldier's body returned

Mrs Mason sobbed as the body of Trooper Leverett, who grew up in Sheffield and Rotherham, was given the all-too-familiar parade through the Cotswold town, near RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire.

Hundreds of shopkeepers, soldiers and well-wishers yesterday joined with his girlfriend Tiffany, who will give birth to their first child in September, brother Neville, family and friends in upholding tradition by lining the town's high street in silent tribute.

His aunt Sarah Johnson paid a touching tribute to the soldier, saying: "James was the one and only. He was a person who had no enemies.

"He was a star, a true hero. He was loved and will never be forgotten. He was a star, he was a superhero.

"We are all so proud of what he did. He has made so many people so proud."

The 20-year-old was killed during a vehicle patrol in the Nahr-e Saraj district of the volatile Helmand province. His vehicle struck an improvised explosive device on Monday.

L/Cpl James Turner of the Royal Dragoon Guards, said: "He was brilliant at his job. We are all just really sorry he has gone and we are going to miss him."

The repatriation took place on the day a British soldier became the 100th member of UK forces to be killed in the Sangin area of southern Afghanistan.

The serviceman, from 5th Regiment, Royal Artillery, was killed by an explosion while on a foot patrol, the Ministry of Defence said. His family has been informed.