The soldier, from the Light Dragoons, was "an inspiration" to everyone he worked with, a college spokesman said.

BBC: Sgt Lee Davidson

Bowden accompanied the Queen's Dragoons Guards as they pushed within a couple of miles of the city's center Saturday.

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The commanding officer of the Light Dragoons, Lt Col Sam Plant, said Sgt Davidson was "a simply superb soldier and a wonderful man".

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However, the arrival of thousands of US marines had now freed up the Light Dragoons battle group to launch its latest offensive, he added.

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Lt Disney, who served in the Light Dragoons, is all too aware of the importance of the help with rehabilitation that charities such as Help for Heroes can supply.

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Councillor George Derx, deputy mayor of Thorne Moorends town council, said the local community felt "grief and sorrow" for Sgt Davidson's family, friends and colleagues in the Light Dragoons.

BBC: Sgt Lee Davidson

The 5th Royal Irish Lancers was formed in 1858 and first fought in a major conflict in the Boer War in 1899, as well as action in the First World War, although traces its origins to an Irish dragoons regiment dating back to 1689.

BBC: NEWS | UK | Fact file: The Queen's Royal Lancers