Tragedy of soldier killed on rescue mission

Private Gregg Thomas Stone, 20, was shot dead on Sunday night as he took part in a mission to rescue a policeman kidnapped by extremists in the Nar-e-Seraj district of Helmand province.

The married soldier from Hull, from 3rd Battalion, The Yorkshire Regiment, was hit as his task force successfully saved policeman Abdul Walid from insurgents who captured him at a checkpoint.

As tributes for the young infantryman poured in, it emerged he and his wife, “childhood sweetheart” Samantha, were expecting their first child.

Major Rob Singleton, Officer Commanding Burma Company, said: “Only a few days ago he told me how excited he was at the prospect of becoming a father for the first time.

“He will be sorely missed by everyone in Burma Company and he will never be forgotten. The thoughts and prayers of every member of Burma Company are with Gregg’s wife and his loving family.”

Pte Stone only deployed to the war-torn country on May 13 as part of 6 Platoon, Burma Company.

Army chiefs said he was looking forward to attending the Junior Non-Commissioned Officers course upon return from Afghanistan, “which he was sure to pass”.

His widow celebrated his life, saying: “Gregg and I were childhood sweethearts and we met at school – he was my soulmate.

“He was a brilliant husband and a family man who loved his family. He was always the one to want to make us laugh – he always cheered everyone up. He was proud to be a soldier and for what he had achieved in his work.

“He would also want me to mention his dog Benji, who he loved to bits.”

The soldier’s mother, Angela, father Robert, brothers Kallum, Jamie and Graeme and sisters Rosie and Jennie, also paid tribute to him.

In a statement they said: “He will always be a true hero in all our hearts. Anyone who was blessed enough to have known him will know how much of a credit to his friends and family he was.

“Words cannot begin to describe this great loss, and we are exceptionally proud of Gregg for everything he was and still is.

“Gregg was the kindest, funniest, friendliest, most popular lad that you could wish to meet. This is the saddest loss of our laughing boy.”

Lieutenant Colonel Zac Stenning, Commanding Officer, 3rd Battalion, said he “died protecting the lives of others”.

Pte Stone joined the 3rd Battalion, formerly the Duke of Wellington’s, in April 2010, after completing training at the Infantry Training Centre in Catterick. After training as a light machine gunner and sharpshooter, he deployed with the regiment to train in Canada before starting training for Operation Herrick.

Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said: “I was sorry to hear of the death of Private Stone, who was clearly a committed, courageous and professional soldier who had made a big impression since joining the Army just two years ago. His death will be a great loss to his fellow soldiers and my sympathies are with them and Private Stone’s wife and family, who should be extremely proud of what he achieved.”

Pte Stone, who was described as “the perfect Yorkshire infantry soldier”, was the 417th member of UK forces to have died since operations in Afghanistan began in October 2001.