Handforth memorial for soldier killed in Afghanistan unveiled

A memorial which commemorates a British soldier who was killed in Afghanistan in 2013 has been unveiled.

Lance Corporal Jamie Webb, 24, of Mercian Regiment was killed on 26 March 2013 after his patrol base was attacked by insurgents.

More than 200 people, including veterans, attended a service for him at Handforth War Memorial.

A plaque said he was a "a true British hero from Handforth" and his resilience and kindness made him a role model.

A cherry tree was also planted in his memory.

Mr Webb had returned to active duty after recovering from two brain operations following an assault in the UK.

He had joined the army when he was 18 after attending Wilmslow High School and Macclesfield College in Cheshire.

His first posting was in Northern Ireland and he was also deployed to Iraq.

While on leave for a few days in the UK, he was assaulted and had to undergo emergency brain surgery.

Having recovered, he returned to active duty.

Mr Webb was then deployed twice to Afghanistan, working as a Point Man, an Intelligence Analyst and Section Second-in-Command and was killed during his second seven-month tour.

A truck bomb was driven into a perimeter wall at Patrol Base Folad in Helmand province and attacked the camp.

Mr Webb died from his injuries after being flown to hospital.

More than 1,000 people attended his funeral in Wilmslow in 2013.

Lieutenant Colonel Phil Kimber, Mr Webb's commanding officer, previously told the BBC he was "a real character, a totally professional soldier and a great friend to many".

He said he was "an outstanding professional; bright, engaging and hugely talented".

"He was exactly the type of man you wanted around. Always with a smile on his face, always willing to engage in some witty and mischievous banter, he really did lift the morale of all around him."

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