A ST HELENS soldier who was shot dead in Afghanistan has been named as 22-year-old father Christopher Davies.

The Irish Guard – who leaves a daughter - was killed in an ambush while patrolling the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand Province on Wednesday.

He is the first soldier from St Helens to be killed on duty in Afghanistan.

Guardsman Davies was born and raised in the town, attending St Thomas of Canterbury Primary School and De La Salle secondary school.

After completing recruitment training, he joined the 1st Battalion Irish Guards in Aldershot in January 2009.

In a statement his family said: "We are very proud of Christopher and all that he achieved.

“One of the last things that he told us was that he wanted to specialise within the Army - he was very focused on his job and enjoyed the work, his comrades and the lifestyle.

"Christopher was a cracking lad. His friends in the Army have told us that whenever they felt down he would cheer them up, often by singing.

“We will always love Christopher. He had an invincible personality and we will miss him so much. There is a big hole in our lives."

Christopher’s family described him as a loving son to Catherine and Gary, stepson to Nick, and loving boyfriend to Emma and father to Lucy.

They say he was a loving brother to Bernie, Matt and John and loving stepbrother to Mark, Emma and Jack; The family added: “Christopher had always wanted to be in the Army ever since he was at school.

“He really enjoyed computer games and karaoke evenings with his cousins and friends.

“He loved singing and rock music so you always knew when he was in the shower, and he was a real joker with a vivid imagination His death comes just days after a huge turnout on Victoria Square, St Helens for the Remembrance Sunday service, where local troops who have served in Afghanistan laid wreaths.

The flag over St Helens Town Hall is flying at half mast as a mark of respect.

Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Ghika, Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion Irish Guards, said: “Guardsman Christopher Davies had been in the Micks for less than two years, but in a short space of time he forged a legendary reputation.

“Quiet and unassuming by nature, he had a deep military talent which shone out from his first day in the Battalion.

“He took time and care to be the perfect soldier: he was always punctual, well prepared, smart and thoughtful.

“As the tempo of our pre deployment training, and subsequent operations quickened, the strength of the man shone through.

“Uncomplaining no matter how challenging the circumstances; determined to surmount difficulty; focussed on doing his best and achieving his mission, but most of all he strove to be a comrade and loyal supporter to those in his platoon, company and battalion.

"If he was talented as a soldier, and he surely was, it was his decency and integrity which won him the admiration of all he came across.

“Courteous, genuine, caring and a friend to all, he was one of the characters on whom the bedrock of life in the Irish Guards is founded.

We are all the poorer for the loss of this truly good and valued man, but we are immensely proud to have known and served with him.

“We send our condolences, thoughts and prayers to his parents, his brothers (one of whom is also serving in the Battalion), his sister, his girlfriend Emma and his daughter Lucy.

"Their loss is greater. Quis Separabit."

Guardsman Davies is the 100th member of the British Armed Forces do die after being deployed there this year.