Tears for Yorkshire soldier killed in Afghanistan

Trooper James Leverett, 20, who was born in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, and grew up in Sheffield and Rotherham, was in a vehicle which struck an improvised explosive device on Monday.

His body was repatriated to RAF Lyneham, Wiltshire, for a chapel service before his coffin passed through the nearby town of Wootton Bassett.

His grandmother Linda Mason clutched a photograph of him as the hearse passed by, sobbing as it paused for a moment's silence by the war memorial.

His aunt Sarah Johnson said: "James was the one and only. He was a person that 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 super hero.

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

Lance Corporal James Turner, The Royal Dragoon Guards, added: "He was a right nice kid, everybody who knew him loved him. He was brilliant at his job.

"We are all just really sorry he has gone and we are going to miss him.

"He was always funny in that he was always laughing and really happy. He was just a genuinely nice kid."

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

Following his death earlier this week, Lieutenant Colonel James Carr-Smith, commanding officer, The Royal Dragoon Guards, described Trooper Leverett, of The Royal Dragoon Guards, Viking Group, D (The Green Horse) Squadron, as a "model soldier".

He was killed while on a vehicle patrol in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand Province. He was helping to secure a route under construction between Lashkar Gah and Gereshk.