Mourners are to gather today for the funeral of a Coventry soldier killed in an explosion in Afghanistan.
Friends and family will pay tribute to Sapper Guy Mellors, a bomb disposal expert who was killed while clearing bombs in the north east of Sangin district, Helmand, at Coventry Cathedral.
The 20-year-old, who served with 36 Engineer Regiment, died on February 15.
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said Sapper Mellors was trained as a searcher in a Royal Engineers advanced search team responsible for the detection of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in areas deemed high risk.
Speaking after his death his mother, Linda Holland, said the family was "very proud of Sapper Mellors", adding: "He will always be our hero, he lived his dream."
Lieutenant Colonel Gareth Bex, Commanding Officer, Counter IED Task Force, said: "Sapper Mellors was an impressive young man and an outstanding searcher.
"Fearless and determined, he was a great team player, well loved and respected by his comrades."
He added: "Although it is a tragedy to lose such a fine soldier, it is a comfort knowing that through his efforts many lives were saved, and that his efforts are recognised in Helmand and back home in the UK."
