THE body of a Liverpool soldier described by comrades as “a lion” has returned home. Kingsman Jason Dunn-Bridgeman, 20, of 2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, died in a firefight in the Babaji district of Helmand province on Sunday.

His Union Jack draped coffin was flown into RAF Lyneham, in Wiltshire, yesterday, greeted by grieving friends and family.

After a private repatriation ceremony, the hearse passed along the crowded high street of nearby Wootton Bassett, now sadly synonymous with British fatalities in Afghanistan.

The West Derby soldier won the admiration of his comrades for volunteering for duty on the rapid reaction force which he knew could be sent to war early.

Just hours after unpacking his possessions he was bound for Afghanistan, where his skills and bravery quickly saw him given a key position.

He became part of a four- man unit at the forefront of patrols, dedicated to the stressful, highly dangerous work of hunting down highly dangerous improvised explosive devices.

His commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Robbie Boyd, said England and his battalion had “lost a lion” with the young soldier’s death.

Lieutenant Colonel Gus Fair, Officer Commanding The Light Dragoons Battle Group to which Kgn Dunn-Bridgeman was attached, said: "Kingsman Jason Dunn-Bridgeman's tragic death has had a profound effect on his company and the Battle Group as a whole.

“A young and gifted soldier, it was clear that he had a promising future ahead of him.

“Never one to shy away from hard work, he demonstrated a strong sense of duty and perseverance in everything he did.