The 100th British member of the armed forces to die this year after being deployed to Afghanistan served in the same battalion as his brother.
Christopher Davies, 22, from St Helens, died after being shot during an ambush on Wednesday in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province.
The father-of-one served alongside his younger brother John, 21, in 1st Battalion Irish Guards. Friends, family and former teachers today paid tribute to the 'cracking lad' who boasted a 'legendary reputation'.
The death of Guardsman Davies brings the number of British military personnel to die on duty or returning from theatre in the war-ravaged country this year into triple figures.
In all, some 345 UK military personnel have died since operations in Afghanistan began in 2001.
His family said: 'Christopher had always wanted to be in the Army ever since he was at school. He really enjoyed computer games and karaoke evenings with his cousins and friends.
'He loved singing and rock music, so you always knew when he was in the shower, and he was a real joker with a vivid imagination.
'He was a loving son to Catherine and Gary; stepson to Nick; brother to Bernie, Matt and John; stepbrother to Mark, Emma and Jack; loving boyfriend to Emma; and father to Lucy.
'We are very proud of Christopher and all that he achieved. One of the last things that he told us was that he wanted to specialise within the Army - he was very focused on his job and enjoyed the work, his comrades and the lifestyle.
'Christopher was a cracking lad. His friends in the Army have told us that whenever they felt down he would cheer them up, often by singing.
'We will always love Christopher. He had an invincible personality and we will miss him so much. There is a big hole in our lives.'
Paying tribute, Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Ghika, Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion Irish Guards, said: 'Guardsman Christopher Davies had been in the Micks for less than two years, but in a short space of time he forged a legendary reputation.
'Quiet and unassuming by nature, he had a deep military talent which shone out from his first day in the Battalion.'
He added: 'If he was talented as a soldier, and he surely was, it was his decency and integrity which won him the admiration of all he came across.
'Courteous, genuine, caring and a friend to all, he was one of the characters on whom the bedrock of life in the Irish Guards is founded.
'We are all the poorer for the loss of this truly good and valued man, but we are immensely proud to have known and served with him.
Christopher Davies, 22, from St Helens, died after being shot during an ambush on Wednesday in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province.
The father-of-one served alongside his younger brother John, 21, in 1st Battalion Irish Guards. Friends, family and former teachers today paid tribute to the 'cracking lad' who boasted a 'legendary reputation'.
The death of Guardsman Davies brings the number of British military personnel to die on duty or returning from theatre in the war-ravaged country this year into triple figures.
In all, some 345 UK military personnel have died since operations in Afghanistan began in 2001.
His family said: 'Christopher had always wanted to be in the Army ever since he was at school. He really enjoyed computer games and karaoke evenings with his cousins and friends.
'He loved singing and rock music, so you always knew when he was in the shower, and he was a real joker with a vivid imagination.
'He was a loving son to Catherine and Gary; stepson to Nick; brother to Bernie, Matt and John; stepbrother to Mark, Emma and Jack; loving boyfriend to Emma; and father to Lucy.
'We are very proud of Christopher and all that he achieved. One of the last things that he told us was that he wanted to specialise within the Army - he was very focused on his job and enjoyed the work, his comrades and the lifestyle.
'Christopher was a cracking lad. His friends in the Army have told us that whenever they felt down he would cheer them up, often by singing.
'We will always love Christopher. He had an invincible personality and we will miss him so much. There is a big hole in our lives.'
Paying tribute, Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Ghika, Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion Irish Guards, said: 'Guardsman Christopher Davies had been in the Micks for less than two years, but in a short space of time he forged a legendary reputation.
'Quiet and unassuming by nature, he had a deep military talent which shone out from his first day in the Battalion.'
He added: 'If he was talented as a soldier, and he surely was, it was his decency and integrity which won him the admiration of all he came across.
'Courteous, genuine, caring and a friend to all, he was one of the characters on whom the bedrock of life in the Irish Guards is founded.
'We are all the poorer for the loss of this truly good and valued man, but we are immensely proud to have known and served with him.
His friend, Guardsman James Atkinson, No 2 Platoon, No 1 Company, 1st Battalion Irish Guards, said: 'Chris was a brother, friend and a father. People would say he was a quiet lad and he kept himself to himself. But they are wrong to say that.
'He was a strong lad, mentally and physically. Nothing could beat him, he would come back fighting stronger than ever. When he had a bad day he would laugh about it and move on. He was great to talk to about anything, no matter what.
Defence Secretary Liam Fox said: 'My thoughts are with the family and friends of Guardsman Christopher Davies, who was a popular soldier with a bright career ahead of him.
'His dedication and professionalism are an example to those he worked with in the 1st Battalion Irish Guards and the Afghan National Army, who he died working alongside. His sacrifice will not be forgotten.'
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...itish-serviceman-killed-Afghanistan-year.html
'He was a strong lad, mentally and physically. Nothing could beat him, he would come back fighting stronger than ever. When he had a bad day he would laugh about it and move on. He was great to talk to about anything, no matter what.
Defence Secretary Liam Fox said: 'My thoughts are with the family and friends of Guardsman Christopher Davies, who was a popular soldier with a bright career ahead of him.
'His dedication and professionalism are an example to those he worked with in the 1st Battalion Irish Guards and the Afghan National Army, who he died working alongside. His sacrifice will not be forgotten.'
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...itish-serviceman-killed-Afghanistan-year.html
