The Royal Artillery lieutenant killed in Afghanistan this week had been in the country for just two months, the Ministry of Defence has revealed.

Lieutenant Aaron Leslie Lewis of 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery was named as the British soldier killed in Helmand province on Monday.

The 26-year-old died in a Kandahar hospital after being fatally wounded when the gun position he was commanding near Gereshk came under attack.

Lt Lewis, a graduate of the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst, was a "natural leader", the MoD said.

The Commanding officer of 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery, Lieutenant Colonel Neil Wilson, said it had always been readily apparent that Lt Lewis was "someone special".

"We were all immediately struck by his maturity, professionalism and determination, the latter point being proven as he fulfilled a personal ambition of passing the commando course, despite suffering a bad knee injury," he said of the lieutenant, who arrived in Afghanistan in October.

"He frequently brought calmness to difficult situations, reassuring people by his presence and showing cheerfulness in adversity – a true commando trait.

"He led his men from the front, his passion and vigour constantly on display, with the welfare of his soldiers always at the forefront of his mind; he genuinely cared for them.

"He will be greatly missed by us all and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this very difficult time."

A statement from Lt Lewis' parents Barry and Helen, girlfriend Naomi and the rest of the family described him as a beloved son, boyfriend and uncle.

"The feeling of loss will never leave us… but our proud memories of him will live on forever," the statement said.

"Aaron will rest peacefully knowing that he was helping others and saving lives so that other families will not have to go through what we, as a family, are at this time."

Lt Lewis is the 133rd UK serviceperson to die in Afghanistan since the US-led invasion of 2001.


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