Death of a true warrior Captain Rupert Bowers

A Midland solider killed in a bomb blast in Afghanistan was today hailed as a born leader with the heart of a lion.

Captain Rupert Bowers, from Wolverhampton, became a father last month while home on leave.

See also: Father's poignant words for courageous soldier

The 24-year-old, who was honoured for his bravery in action, was killed by an improvised bomb while leading a patrol to clear the area of insurgents in Helmand Province on Wednesday.

The former Old Swinford Hospital School pupil from the 2nd Battalion, The Mercian Regiment (Worcesters and Foresters) was working alongside an Afghan security forces patrol when he was killed in the blast.

Cpt Bowers' lived with his 25-year-old wife Victoria and newly-born son Hugo in Oakham, Leicestershire.

His parents Patrick and Jane live in Shrewsbury.

Old Swinford School, in Stourbridge, held a special assembly this morning when the news of Cpt Bowers' death was announced to pupils.

Prayers were also said for the soldier's family and friends.

Cpt Bowers joined the 1st Battalion The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment in April 2007.

After successfully passing the Platoon Commanders' Battle Course in Brecon, he joined his regiment in Afghanistan in 2007.

Upon return from Afghanistan he was deployed on exercises in Jamaica and later to Kenya, as a Fire Support Group Commander after qualifying as a Machine Gun Specialist.

Returning to Helmand for a second time in 2009, he served as a member of A (Grenadier) Company, 2Mercian, under command of the Light Dragoons Battle Group.

He died on his third tour of duty on the front line. On this occasion he had been chosen to lead an advisor team embedded within an Afghan National Army company operating in the north of Nahr-e Saraj, an area thick with insurgents.

He was a term behind Prince William at Sandhurst, receiving his commission in April 2007.

Tributes were today being made to the fallen hero, with colleagues describing him as "herculaic" and the "bravest of the brave". Old Swinford Hospital head teacher

Peter Jones said: "Rupert was an outstanding student all the way through his career. He was completely dedicated to the school and was natural leader.

"We have been devastated since the news came in.

"The whole school community sends their deepest condolences to the family and we want them to know that they are in our prayers."

Captain Bowers also leaves behind a sister, Juliet. In 2008 Cpt Bowers was mentioned in Dispatches for the part he played in rescuing a soldier in Operation Pechtaw.

Then a Second Lieutenant, he was awarded a gallantry award that had been won on only his third day on the front line in Helmand Province where he was to die.

Lieutenant Paul Seligman Advisor Commander, Brigade Advisory Group, 3Scots, said: "He was a warrior, as brave as any.

"I could scarcely believe anything that could bring him to a halt and the world is a lesser place without him."

Collegue Lieutenant Colonel Colin R Marks, Commanding Officer, Combined Force Burma, 2Mercian, said: "The bravest of the brave, he died as he lived, leading from the front in the face of the enemy."