'A true hero' – family's tribute to soldier who died on birthday

A SOLDIER killed in an explosion in Afghanistan on his birthday was hailed "a true hero" by his family.

Lieutenant Douglas "Dougie" Dalzell, of the Coldstream Guards, died in the blast in the Babaji area of southern Afghanistan on Thursday.

He was named by the MoD last night.

His family released a statement which said: "Our darling son and brother to Olivia and Angus, you touched the hearts of so many. You are our world and we love you with all our hearts. You only ever looked for the good in people and kept strong and happy in all you did. You are a true hero and we will miss you forever."

There were glowing tributes last night to Lt Dalzell, from Hamstead Marshall, near Newbury in Berkshire. Lieutenant Colonel Toby Gray, Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, said the 27-year-old was "assured, confident, utterly professional and hugely popular with his men and held in the highest regard by his seniors".

He went on: "It was clear to me that he adored his job and his guardsmen in equal measure. He was tragically killed, on his 27th birthday, doing the job he loved and leading from the front. The gap he leaves in his company, the battalion and officers' mess is enormous. We all mourn his death and will miss his gentle yet keen sense of humour."

Major Toby Till said he was "immensely proud" to have worked with Lt Dalzell, who was "a born leader". The soldier's platoon sergeant and close friend, Sergeant John Amer, was killed in November last year.