Tributes as bombardier wounded in Afghan explosion loses fight for life

Bombardier Stephen Gilbert, 36, from 4th Regiment Royal Artillery, never regained consciousness and died on Saturday in hospital in Birmingham with his wife Jackie by his side.

He joined the Army in 1999 and served in Kosovo and Iraq before deploying to Afghanistan in March.

Bombadier Gilbert was injured taking part in a joint patrol with Afghan soldiers to disrupt an insurgent checkpoint in the Nahr-e Saraj district on June 10.

The soldier, who was originally from Scotland and lived in Topcliffe, North Yorkshire, leaves sons Connor and Kristian.

His wife said in a statement: "He was a fantastic father and Connor and Kristian have not only lost their dad but their best friend.

"Steve was a devoted husband and we lived and laughed every day we shared. I do truly believe I was lucky enough to find my soulmate."

Yesterday the commanding officer of 4th Regiment Royal Artillery, Lt Col Chris Squier, said: "Men like him are truly rare. He fought for the final days of his life as he had lived, with true passion and spirit."

Cpl John Hough, from 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment, added: "He was an absolute one in a million, generous, kind and consoling whenever a friend was in need.

"He was a tough and resolute soldier but deep down I know he was a big softie with his true love, wife Jackie and his boys."

Meanwhile the Ministry of Defence yesterday said a bomb disposal expert from 101 Engineer Regiment (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) died in a firefight with insurgents on Sunday.

His death took the number of British troops who have died in the Afghan campaign to 309.

Prime Minister David Cameron, who has announced he wants British troops out of Afghanistan by 2015, told MPs: "We need to get the job done and bring our troops home."