'Inspirational' soldier praised
Daryl Hickey was described as "fun to be with"
Senior army officers have paid tribute to a British soldier who died from gunshot wounds in Afghanistan.
Daryl Hickey, 27, who was serving with 1st Battalion The Grenadier Guards, was described as courageous and determined and "an inspiration to us all".
Guardsman Hickey, from Birmingham, was shot on Thursday near Gereshk, in Helmand province. He was airlifted to hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Two other soldiers were injured in another part of the same operation.
'Highest regard'
Guardsman Hickey joined the Army in 2001 and spent time in Northern Ireland and Iraq, before being posted to Afghanistan in April this year.
Col Hatherley
His commanding officer, Lt Col Carew Hatherley, said: "Guardsman Hickey was a quiet and thoughtful character who was fun to be with, both on and off duty.
"Immensely proud to be a Grenadier, whether in tunic and bearskin or combats, he was held in the highest regard by all who served alongside him.
"We knew each other well enough that he could joke with me whenever we met - it was invariably at my expense."
'Sorely missed'
Col Hatherley said Guardsman Hickey had given his life "in selfless service to his country".
"He had been fighting the Taleban on an operation that had at times been nothing short of ferocious, shoulder to shoulder with the others in his platoon, and in whose company he also died.
"His courage and determination is an inspiration to us all. He will be sorely missed and never forgotten."
Maj Mick Blake, of Somme Company, described his as a "credit to his battalion".
Guardsman Hickey had been serving as part of the 1st Battalion Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment Battlegroup, which is working alongside Afghan National Security Forces to improve security in the Helmand River valley.
The Ministry of Defence said Guardsman Hickey had been working with the Somme Company platoon since the beginning of the year.
Major Mick Blake, also from the Somme Company, described the dead soldier as "a credit to his battalion". "Due to his age and maturity, he was always a strong guide to all the young Guardsmen and Territorials within Somme Company. "He could be a quiet and reserved person, but was always a dedicated soldier." His fellow soldiers also added their tribute.
Lance Sergeant Adam Ball and Lance Corporal Keith Maskell said: "Hickey was a really great lad who brought both morale and laughter to everything he did.
"A great team player and someone who was very helpful to others, he will be remembered for his passion towards his football team, Birmingham City, and his Brummy accent will be sadly missed."
Guardsman Scott Pountney described him as the "life and soul" of the party: "Hicks was always smiling and finding ways to wind people up with his quick wit and wry sense of humour.
"Hicks and I always exchanged banter about football. He was a passionate Birmingham City supporter and whilst I support Coventry City, this made me the brunt of most of his jokes about football. "I am a better person for knowing him and my thoughts are with his family and friends."
Defence Secretary Des Browne offered his condolences to the soldier's family.
"I was deeply sorry to learn of Guardsman Hickey's loss. He was an excellent Guardsman who always put the team before himself and he will be sorely missed. "I was strengthened by the resolve of those around him who continued to complete their mission successfully so that he did not die in vain. "My thoughts are with Guardsman Hickey's family and friends as they struggle to come to terms with their loss."
