Tributes to 'tremendous' soldier

A service will be held for Guardsman Major at his former school

Tributes have been paid to an 18-year-old soldier from Cleethorpes who was one of five killed in an attack by an Afghan police officer.

Relatives of Guardsman Jimmy Major said he took pride in his profession and had "died doing the job he loved."

Guardsman Major, a gunner with the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, was killed in Helmand province on Tuesday.

Four other soldiers including Sgt Matthew Telford from Grimsby also died in the attack.

He was posted to Southern Afghanistan in April 2009, six months after joining the 1st Battalion.

'Tremendous son'

The Ministry of Defence said he had "begun to shine" and his death brought a "tragic and abrupt end to such a short career".

Guardsman Major leaves his parents Kim and Adrian, two brothers, a sister and both sets of grandparents.

His family said: "Jimmy was a tremendous son. He was proud to be a soldier and died doing a job he loved.

"He was a loving son, brother and grandson and a dear friend to everyone.

"We are proud of the fact that Jimmy was prepared to do his duty, helping the people of Afghanistan."

A former teacher said Guardsman Major had a "cheeky smile".

Paul Thundercliffe taught the soldier at Lindsey School in Cleethorpes.

"He had a cheeky smile and he always wanted to make you understand where he was coming from," he said.

"He was very forthright and as he went through the school he just wanted to get better and better at everything that he did."

The school is planning to hold a special tribute service to Guardsman Major next Monday.