A British soldier killed yesterday in Afghanistan was today named as Corporal Barry Dempsey, 29, an Army medic from Ayrshire, described as a "dedicated family man".

He died while on patrol in the Gereksh area of Helmand Province, when a roadside bomb detonated after he and other soldiers left their vehicle. He leaves a wife and two young children, and his widow today hailed him as a "hero".

Corporal Dempsey, of The Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battallion Royal Regiment of Scotland, was on attachment to 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment as a medic, and had volunteered for patrols in the most remote parts of Helmand. HIs death takes the British death toll in Afghanistan since 2001 to 116.

An American soldier, an Afghan soldier and the patrol's interpreter were also injured in the blast. All were then airlifted to the main British hospital at Camp Bastion.

Corporal Dempsey's wife Shelly paid tribute to her husband: "Barry was a devoted husband and father. He has died doing a job he loved. His family and the Army was his life. He will be forever missed by his wife, children and family. He will never be forgotten. He died a hero."

His commanding officer said Corporal Dempsey was a family man who devoted much of his time to his wife and his son, Charlie, and daughter, Andie, as well as being a "a highly respected and competent medic" who had "found his real vocation in life".

"Always calm and professional, he was naturally suited to a medical career," Lieutenant Colonel Nick Borton said. "Barry was a stalwart of the Medical Centre; a hard worker, he always volunteered for any task, and was always at the centre of the team, motivating and encouraging the younger medics."

The commanding officer of the 1 R Irish, Lieutenant Colonel Ed Freely, said that Corporal Barry Dempsey "died supporting his own men. He has helped to save the lives of many Afghan soldiers and civilians alike."

Corporal Dempsey joined The Royal Highland Fusiliers in 1998 and spent most of his career as a medic in the Regimental Aid Post. He was promoted to Corporal last year.

Des Browne, the Defence Secretary, said: "I was extremely saddened to hear of the death of Corporal Dempsey yesterday morning. He was a selfless and brave professional, putting himself in harm's way to provide the very best of medical care to his colleagues and Afghans alike."

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