A PRIVATE service has been held for the St Neots soldier killed in Afghanistan.

The body of Corporal Alex Guy, of St Neots, was flown back to the UK yesterday (June 21) and shortly after a service was held for close family members.

He was killed in the Nad-e Ali district of Helmand province on June 15 while leading his section of the 1st Batallion The Royal Anglian Regiment to help Afghan soldiers that had come under attack from Taliban insurgents.

He was caught in a blast from an enemy grenade but died despite receiving immediate treatment.

The 37-year-old, who had served in the army for 19 years, leaves behind his wife Emma, parents Aileen and Andrew and sisters Rebecca and Martha.

His body was flown back to RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, where a private service was held, before the cortege left for John Radcliffe Hospital, in Oxford.

Standard bearers from the Royal British Legion lined the streets to pay their respects. The hearse was escorted at walking pace as it passed Carterton memorial garden, where the Union Jack was flying at half mast.Mrs Guy, whom he married in 2006, said: “Alex was kind – a happy, full-of-life and kind-hearted man, with a passion for his work and family.”

Cpl Guy was born at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, before his family relocated to St Neots.

His mother, Aileen, said: “We went to live in St Neots in 1979 and Alex went to Bushmead Infant School in 1980.

“He was a happy, friendly child who loved joining in with any activities – in and out of school.

“He went to Ernulf Community School in 1986 and was in the St Neots RAF Cadets and loved it.

“He left school in 1991 and eventually decided to join the Army in 1992 – the comradeship, discipline and sense of family meant everything to him.

“He was a wonderful and loving son, husband, brother, friend and comrade.”

A year after joining the army, Cpl Guy joined 1st Battalion the Royal Anglian Regiment – known as The Vikings.

He was quickly identified as a leader and promoted to Lance-Corporal in 1995.

Warrant Officer Class II Nathan Love, who served with Cpl Guy, said: “I would always be happy to cross the line of departure into an attack with Alex by my side – he was a truly dependable man.

“He was a proper Viking warrior and friend in every sense of the word. Every member of D (Cambridgeshire) Company knew Alex, and it is almost incomprehensible that he is gone.

“But I know he would not want us to be distracted from our mission – he would want us to go forward, to be strong and guide our young Vikings in battle on his behalf.”

Major Bevis Allen, Officer Commanding D Company, said: “Corporal Alex Guy was the epitome of a Viking soldier – professional, dedicated, brave and dependable, yet also self-effacing, modest and approachable even to the newly-arrived soldiers.

“Corporal Guy’s tragic loss leaves a huge gap in our team.

“He was one of the true stalwarts of D Company.

“Our grief, however, is dwarfed by that which will be felt by his wife, Emma, and his parents.

“I hope some small comfort can be taken from the fact that he died doing the job he loved, surrounded by his Viking brothers, who held him in such high esteem.”