A British soldier killed on Thursday in Afghanistan trying to extricate the body of a comrade was the son of one of the men who ended the 1980 siege of the Iranian embassy.
Serjeant Paul McAleese died when he went to recover the body of 18-year-old Private Johnathon Young, who had been killed in an explosion while on foot patrol in Sangin, Helmand, on the morning of Afghanistan's presidential and provincial explosions.
It is feared by the Ministry of Defence that his death was due to a new Taliban tactic of drawing UK soldiers to the bodies of their fallen comrades.
Sjt McAleese, who would have been 30 in October, was the son of John McAleese, who led the SAS raid that ended the siege of the Iranian embassy in London in 1980.
The soldier, from Second Battalion the Rifles, was described as 'one of the best of his generation' by the MoD.
Lieutenant Colonel Rob Thomson, his commanding officer, said he had a 'huge rucksack full of talents' and was the 'envy of the rest of the battalion.
'He had so much yet to give - he was on the track to greatness and was one of those men who was destined to promote first time, every time,' Lt Col Thomson said. 'The rest of us mortals could not keep up. His energy levels were unrivalled and he extracted the best out of my riflemen, especially when sat behind his favourite sniper rifle.'
Sjt McAleese leaves behind his wife Jo and young son Charley. In a statement Mrs McAleese said: 'Mac, my husband, my best friend, my hero. You were an amazing daddy to Charley and the best husband I could have ever asked for. We will love you and miss you forever. We will always be so proud of what you achieved in your life and I am so, so proud to be your wife.'
Pte Young of the Third Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment, was praised for his 'tenacity and no-nonsense bravery'.
He leaves behind his mother Angela, brother Carl, sister Leah and girlfriend Nicola. His mother said: 'John was so handsome. He was a good son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and boyfriend. He will be loved and missed by all who knew him. We were so proud of our John, he was our brave heart, our Johnny Bravo. Night night Johnny Bravo.'
Pte Young's commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Tom Vallings added: 'In his 18 years he has made a big impact on those who knew him and served with him. His loss is felt by us all, but none more so than by his family.'
Serjeant Paul McAleese died when he went to recover the body of 18-year-old Private Johnathon Young, who had been killed in an explosion while on foot patrol in Sangin, Helmand, on the morning of Afghanistan's presidential and provincial explosions.
It is feared by the Ministry of Defence that his death was due to a new Taliban tactic of drawing UK soldiers to the bodies of their fallen comrades.
Sjt McAleese, who would have been 30 in October, was the son of John McAleese, who led the SAS raid that ended the siege of the Iranian embassy in London in 1980.
The soldier, from Second Battalion the Rifles, was described as 'one of the best of his generation' by the MoD.
Lieutenant Colonel Rob Thomson, his commanding officer, said he had a 'huge rucksack full of talents' and was the 'envy of the rest of the battalion.
'He had so much yet to give - he was on the track to greatness and was one of those men who was destined to promote first time, every time,' Lt Col Thomson said. 'The rest of us mortals could not keep up. His energy levels were unrivalled and he extracted the best out of my riflemen, especially when sat behind his favourite sniper rifle.'
Sjt McAleese leaves behind his wife Jo and young son Charley. In a statement Mrs McAleese said: 'Mac, my husband, my best friend, my hero. You were an amazing daddy to Charley and the best husband I could have ever asked for. We will love you and miss you forever. We will always be so proud of what you achieved in your life and I am so, so proud to be your wife.'
Pte Young of the Third Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment, was praised for his 'tenacity and no-nonsense bravery'.
He leaves behind his mother Angela, brother Carl, sister Leah and girlfriend Nicola. His mother said: 'John was so handsome. He was a good son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and boyfriend. He will be loved and missed by all who knew him. We were so proud of our John, he was our brave heart, our Johnny Bravo. Night night Johnny Bravo.'
Pte Young's commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Tom Vallings added: 'In his 18 years he has made a big impact on those who knew him and served with him. His loss is felt by us all, but none more so than by his family.'
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