Soldier killed days before leave

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The soldier was a former pupil at Airedale High School

A young soldier from Castleford who was killed in Afghanistan was due to return home early as a surprise to his mother.

Rifleman James Backhouse, 18, died in an explosion on Friday near Sangin, Helmand Province, with four colleagues from 2nd Batallion The Rifles.

Grandmother Pauline Backhouse said he was due home on 26 July but it had been brought forward to 13 July as a surprise to his mother.

Ms Backhouse told BBC News her grandson loved being in the Army.

The former Airedale High School pupil joined the Army in 2007 and was deployed to Afghanistan in March.

'Natural soldier'

Ms Backhouse said: "He'd been with his friend to see about it and he said they've got some good things to offer.

"He loved it, every time he came [home] it was 'yeah, it's alright, it's smashing' and then this had to happen."

Speaking earlier, Col Rob Thomson, commanding officer of 2 Rifles, said: "One of four brothers, Rifleman Backhouse was a natural soldier and this was his first tour."

Col Thomson said the teenager endured "some of the most austere conditions in Sangin" but there was "never a murmur of complaint and he was the sort who simply got on".

"He was a determined, rigorous and thoughtful young man who saw the lighter side of life," Col Thomson said.

"He was utterly selfless and always the first man in his company to welcome new riflemen.

"He is sorely missed and his family are front and centre of our prayers at this unimaginably difficult time."