England


British Army Rifleman Sheldon Lee Jordan Steel, from 5th Battalion The Rifles (5 RIFLES), was killed in action on 27th November 2011 during a foot patrol in the Lashkar Gah district of Helmand province. He was caught in the blast from an insurgent bomb.

20-year-old Rifleman Steel, from Leeds, joined the Army in November 2009 and completed his training in April 2010. He then joined 5 RIFLES based at Paderborn, Germany. He underwent extensive training on the Warrior armoured fighting vehicle and took part in a six-week, vehicle-mounted exercise in Canada in late 2010.

Lieutenant Colonel Tom Copinger-Symes, Commanding Officer 5 RIFLES, said: "Rifleman Sheldon Steel was a special blend of physical robustness, sharp intellect, old-fashioned politeness, and natural leadership flair – all underscored by a quiet confidence and understated ambition."

Rifleman Steel leaves behind his mother Victoria, sisters Cody and Carys and brother Kameron.