Tributes for dead woman soldier

The first British female soldier to be killed in Afghanistan, Corporal Sarah Bryant, 26, died with three men in an explosion on Tuesday. Their deaths bring the number of soldiers who have died in the country to 106.

Cpl Bryant's death has been met by heartfelt tributes from her husband, family, friends and colleagues.

CORPORAL CARL BRYANT, SARAH'S HUSBAND

" Although I am devastated beyond words at the death of my beautiful wife Sarah, I am so incredibly proud of her. She was an awesome soldier who died doing the job that she loved. My wife knew the risks, she was there because she wanted to be, and she wouldn't have had it any other way.

She was funny, kind and the most amazing person to be around, I will never stop being thankful for the time I spent as her husband.

I love her now and always, with all my heart, as do her proud parents, friends and family. My wife was a truly special person who died a hero. Sarah, as with all our fallen, must never be forgotten. "

DES FEELY, FATHER

" There are so many people both in the military and locally where she grew up that are not only going to be touched by this but also devastated at the loss of such a beautiful girl.

Nothing much seems to have changed since the days of Churchill's famous speech. Never have so many owed so much to so few.

We truly have lost the 'Angel of the North'. "

MAUREEN FEELY, MOTHER

" They [Sarah and her husband Carl] never quite managed to get on operations together. They were both in Iraq together at the same time but they didn't actually manage to serve together.

They'd been married for two-and-a-half years, I think they've probably spent about six months together while they did their separate tours.

But Carl was very proud of her because of the life that she was living. Being a woman in a male-dominated environment, she gave it her all.

She gave it everything and she paid the ultimate price for that, but I'm so, so proud of what she's done and what she achieved. I just hope everybody remembers her that way that she was. "

LIEUTENANT COLONEL JIM SUGGIT, COMMANDING OFFICER

" Sarah had the brightest future ahead of her, both in her career - where she had been pre-selected for promotion - and her personal life. She was a beautiful young woman and also an utterly professional, extremely adept Psychological Operations operator, who was highly regarded by all who knew her.

She had courage, passion and flair for the role she was undertaking - engaging with the people of Helmand Province and trying to give them hope and confidence that they might eventually enjoy peace, progress and prosperity.

I will miss her delightful charm, her sharp mind, her gentle humour, our close comradeship and seeing her take the many wonderful opportunities life would have presented.

We mourn her, we salute her and we will remember the sparkle she brought to us all. She will live eternally in our thoughts and be ever named in our prayers. "

LIEUTENANT COMMANDER SHAMUS MACLEAN, UNIT COMMANDER

" Cpl Bryant was a dedicated soldier who never ceased to push herself in pursuit of her objectives and was courageous in the face of adversity.

Her courage is testament to the work that we are conducting here in Afghanistan. Ours is a difficult task and as part of the larger task force we are clear in our own minds what must be done.

Today has been a hard day which has shaken us all but this too will pass. We will strive to continue the work already done to ensure that Sarah's sacrifice is not in vain. Psyops is a small, close-knit family and Sarah was very much part of that. She will be sorely missed.

The most difficult burden is for those she left behind; words cannot describe what they must be feeling. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this time. "

SERGEANT 'PUCKY' PUCKY, FRIEND AND COLLEAGUE

" During the short time I knew Sarah, I worked closely with her as our disciplines dictated we should. I was quickly aware that she was a diligent, hard working non-commissioned officer with a can-do attitude and versatile nature to go with her intelligence.

She had a relaxed attitude that belied her hard working nature and was always around with a ready smile and cheery conversation, any who met her warmed to so quickly. She will be sorely missed by friends and colleagues alike. "

CORPORAL T EDWARDS, FRIEND AND COLLEAGUE

" It has been my honour to serve with Cpl Sarah Bryant. Sarah was a passionate soldier who loved the Army and was proud to be a member of the Intelligence Corps.

Always ready with a smile and a friendly word regardless of the situation, even those who met her briefly were left with the impression that they had been talking to an old friend.

You could do nothing but admire Sarah's positive outlook and passion for her job, and neither could anyone doubt her devotion to her husband, family and 'baby', Labrador Tyson.

Sarah was a credit to her family and an example for others within the Corps. We have lost a treasured friend and colleague, our grief at her loss will not heal quickly, nor would we want it to "

TERRI CARTNER, FAMILY FRIEND

" A hundred per cent feminine, very pretty, very unassuming, a natural person, very happy - the sort of person that when she was in a room, it lit up.

[She was] just a perfect person really. She didn't seem to have a nasty bone in her body and when you were with her, you felt better for being with her. "

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