St Neots Soldier Repatriated
17 June 2012, 09:15 | Updated: 21 June 2012, 14:28
The body of a 37 year old soldier from St Neots has been flown back to the UK today.
Corporal Alex Guy (right) served with the 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment and died on Friday 15 June 2012 during an operation targeting insurgents in the Nad-e-Ali District of Helmand province.
He is the 419th member of UK forces to have died since operations in Afghanistan began in 2001.
His wife Emma, who he married in 2006, said: "Alex was kind. A happy, full-of-life and kind hearted man, with a passion for his work and family.''
Cpl Guy had been in the army for 19 years and served on eight operational tours including Bosnia, Iraq, three of Northern Ireland and three of Afghanistan. He had been recently selected for promotion to the rank of Sergeant.
Along with his wife, Cpl Guy leaves his mother and father, Aileen and Andrew, and sisters Rebecca and Martha.
Lieutenant Colonel Michael Aston MC, commanding officer of 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, hailed his "courage, selfless commitment and professionalism''.
He said: "A loyal, committed and thoroughly decent man, Corporal Alex Guy was a unique member of the Vikings. His honest, welcoming approach and impressive operational pedigree saw him achieve the ideal balance between good friend, wise mentor and tough commander.
Major Bevis Allen, Officer Commanding, D (Cambridgeshire) Company, 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, said: "Corporal Alex Guy was the epitome of a Viking soldier; professional, dedicated, brave, and dependable, yet also self-effacing, modest and approachable to even the most newly-arrived soldiers.''
He added: "Corporal Guy's tragic loss leaves a huge gap in our team. He was one of the true stalwarts of D (Cambridgeshire) Company. Our grief, however, is dwarfed by that which will be felt by his wife, Emma and his parents. I hope some small comfort can be taken from the fact that he died doing the job he loved, surrounded by his Viking brothers, who held him in such high esteem.''
His friend Corporal Wayne Cole, Regimental Signals Detachment Commander, 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment said: "I have known Alex ever since we arrived at Bassingbourn on day one of recruit training in 1992. Since then Alex has been the best mate you could possibly have, generous with his time and incredibly loyal.
"Alex, I will miss you more than I can describe. My heart goes out to your lovely wife Emma, your family and many friends. You may be gone but I for one will always remember you as a true Viking. Stablis.''
Cpl Guy's death came two days after a 23 year old soldier from Kettering, Northamptonshire was killed in Afghanistan.
Lance Corporal James Ashworth from the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards was killed on patrol in the Nahr-e-Saraj area of Helmand province.
Kettering Soldier Killed in Afghanistan