The parents of the teenage soldier who was the 250th member of the British armed forces to die during the Afghanistan conflict have paid tribute to their "hero" son.
Rifleman Peter Aldridge, 19, of A Company 4 Rifles, was serving as part of 3 Rifles Battle Group when he died in an explosion near Sangin, in central Helmand province.
In a statement released through the Ministry of Defence, his family said: "Our son died a hero, he lost his life doing what he believed in.
"Peter said, 'If I'm going to die I want to die a soldier'."
His death took the number killed to just five below the amount who died during the Falklands War in 1982.
Rfn Aldridge's last words to the medic treating him at the scene were to "tell his mother that he loved her", his commanding officer said. The teenager, from Folkestone, Kent, was on his first tour of duty.
He was killed while on foot patrol as part of as operation to provide security for the local population in Sangin, the MoD said.
The family statement added: "He was determined to get his first tour of duty under his belt. He believed in the Army and was proud of his job and we are so proud of you Peter. We love you sweet pea. Swift and Bold Forever."
Rfn Aldridge, who had a girlfriend Jem and brother Matthew, "made his mark from the outset", his comrades said.
Lieutenant Colonel Rupert Jones, his commanding officer, said he was a "natural leader" in his platoon.
