Fearless soldier killed in action

The 22-year-old former Claverdon Primary School pupil had strong links to sports clubs in Warwick and Leamington.

He was killed along with his comrade Pte Lewis Hendry, of Norwich, during a firefight in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, last Wednesday.

Since Pte Lewis’s death tributes have flooded internet sites.

His family have said: “Conrad was an outstanding young man, with a character the depth of which you only truly find out in these sad circumstances.

“He was a warm-hearted, funny, kind, loving, handsome and clearly brave young man.”

Born in Bournemouth in 1988, Pte Lewis moved to Warwickshire with his family when he was five.

He attended Sibford School in Banbury and also Stratford College.

A keen sportsman, Pte Lewis played football for Central Ajax and also Racing Club Warwick’s youth team.

A one-minute silence will be held in his honour before the Racers’ next game at Townsend Meadow on Saturday.

Club chairman Bob Dhillon said: “He was a person with a massive personality, he always had a big smile on his face, was a friend to all that knew him and will be sorely missed by all.”

Pte Lewis was also a member of Leamington Spa Swimming Club in his mid to late teens

Emma Litterick, the club’s press officer, said: “He was a team player and will be greatly missed by his family and those that knew him. To the Lewis family we send our condolences, you are in the club’s thoughts at this time.”

Originally serving in 4th Battalion the Parachute Regiment (4 Para) the Territorial Army Battalion, Pte Lewis was accepted for a full-time reserve service appointment in 3 Para in 2009.

He was quick to integrate at his new battalion, deploying to Oman with C Company and then moving across to the Machine Gun Platoon Support Company in the run up to the battalion’s operational deployment.

Fighting as a member of fire support group, he proved an exceedingly competent soldier and was selected for the critical role of lead scout for his section.

Lt-Col James Coates, commanding officer for 3 Para, said: “Pte Lewis was a supremely popular soldier, who faced danger time and again but always put his comrades first.”