The successful operation to retake the Taliban stronghold of Musa Qala, in Afghanistan’s Helmand province, took place the week before I arrived. Sadly a much respected officer died in the process and here are the tributes paid to him…

COMRADES of a fallen hero paid tribute at a special memorial service in Helmand province,Afghanistan, at the same time as his funeral was due to take place in the UK.

Sgt Lee “Jonno” Johnson, from Stockton, was killed by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) as he travelled with 2nd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards) to help liberate the Taliban stronghold of Musa Qala.

The Afghanistan service was led by the regiment’s Padre Fran Myatt in a small chapel where the troops are based. He said: “Everybody there would’ve known him and everybody there would have been at his funeral if they were in England.

“We are 1,000s of miles away from home but we are still part of it. We had everybody together and that’s what it was all about. I was his padre. It was really hard to do because I liked him, he was actually one of the good guys, he was really funny when I spoke to him.”

Lt Col Simon Downey, the officer commanding 2nd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards) in the Helmand province, said: “A huge personality and a supreme soldier, he had a zest for life that took all before him.

“He could get the best from anyone by inspiration, by his unfailing humour, by his example and his sheer determination. Wherever he went, whatever he did, he made a difference, and always with that great style of his.

“His loss robs the battalion he loved of one of its great lights, a comrade regarded with tremendous affection and respect – but he, of all of us, would not have had us falter.”

Sgt Major Dan Benson, who was also from Stockton-on- Tees, said: “He went to my school and his parents live five minutes walk from me. It’s not nice when you know it’s someone you worked with. We all took five or 10 minutes out to reflect on what had happened.

“But you have to put it to the back of your mind and get on with the job. It was a very good service and our thoughts are with his family back in the UK.”

The 33-year-old father-of-two was honoured with a full military funeral at Stockton Parish Church last month after being killed on December 8.

He was described as a dedicated soldier who had cancelled his leave to take part in the operation to recapture the town of Musa Qala from the Taliban.

From The Scarborough Evening News on Saturday, January 5, 2008.