Tributes paid to Mercian officer who was "the best"

Tributes have been paid to officer from 2 Mercian (Worcesters and Foresters) who was killed in Afghanistan a week before he was due to return home.

Captain Rupert Bowers was killed by an improvised explosive device as he led Afghan soldiers clearing an area of insurgents in the Mirmandab region of Nahr-e Saraj district in Helmand province.

He was attached to 2nd Battalion The Rifles, operating as an advisor to the Afghan National Army.

He was about to return home to his wife and the son he had seen born when home on leave in February.

Lieutenant Colonel Colin Marks, Commanding Officer, 2nd Battalion, the Mercian Regiment (Worcesters and Foresters) said: "Possessing the heart of a lion, he was Mentioned in Dispatches for gallantry on this, his first of three tours of duty.

"The bravest of the brave, he died as he lived, leading from the front in the face of the enemy.

Lieutenant Colonel William Wright, Commanding Officer, Brigade Advisory Group, 2nd Battalion The Rifles said: "He was loved and respected by all ranks as one of our own. He was, and will always remain, an honorary Rifleman."

Men who served under him described him as the best officer they had ever worked for.