Tributes to modest bomb disposal hero

Staff Sergeant Brett Linley, 29, from Birmingham, died in an explosion while clearing improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Nahr-e-Saraj on Saturday.

The soldier, of the Royal Logistic Corps, was "one of life's grafters", his comrades said.

Lieutenant Colonel David Southall, of Royal Engineers, said: "Staff Sergeant Brett Linley was a man of courage and composure – his loss has shaken us all."

Comrades described him as a "true hero" who had saved many lives. On one occasion the Birmingham City fan unearthed three IEDs in the space of an hour, they said.

The sergeant had qualified this year as a high threat IED operator after perfecting his technique during three tours in Northern Ireland.

An MoD spokesman said the soldier's actions during his tour of duty in Afghanistan had saved many lives, both Afghan and British, and his death was a "tragic loss to his unit, his family and his friends".

Lt Col Southall added: "I will remember his calm, considered manner and, as one of life's grafters, his professionalism was meticulous – 'If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right' he'd tell his boys, both in training and on task.

"Brett faced the IED threat daily, but despite the risk, his heroism was without fuss or fanfare – such quiet and unassuming modesty endeared him to all.

"Brett leaves behind his partner and parents, whose grief we share. In this confused and turbulent world, I will miss his measured voice of reason and clarity of thought; it leaves a void we struggle to fill."

Tributes were also paid to three other British servicemen killed on a bloody day's fighting. The families, friends and colleagues of Sergeant David Monkhouse, Marine Jonathan Crookes and Senior Aircraftman Kinikki Griffiths testified to their bravery and personal qualities.

Sgt Monkhouse, a 35-year-old member of the Royal Dragoon Guards, was killed in a separate explosion in the Nahr-e-Saraj district on Saturday.

Marine Crookes, a 26-year-old reservist in 40 Commando Royal Marines, was killed in an explosion while on foot patrol in Sangin on Friday.

Senior Aircraftman Griffiths, 20, from the RAF Regiment, died in a vehicle crash near Camp Bastion.

The British death toll in the Afghan campaign since 2001 now stands at 322.