COMRADES have paid tribute to an Exeter police community support officer  who has died while serving with the  Army in Afghanistan.

The Ministry of Defence last night  confirmed that Rifleman Mark Marshall,  from 6th Battalion, The Rifles, was killed  in an explosion while on a routine foot  patrol near Forward Operating Base  Inkerman in Helmand province.

The Territorial Army soldier was serving with 3 Rifles Battle Group and, as the  point man in his patrol,  was charged with  clearing improvised explosive devices.

Rifleman Marshall, 29, was born in  Exeter and went to St Peter’s Church of  England High School, where he gained a  BTEC in public services before joining  the police as a community support officer.

He leaves behind his mother, Lynn, his girlfriend, Hayley, and his brother and sister, Alex and Jo.

Paying tribute to her son,  Mrs Marshall said: “I am  hugely proud of my dear and  beloved son; he lived life to  the full and will be sorely  missed by all.”

Rifleman Marshall, who  died on Sunday, joined the 6  Rifles Territorial Army Battalion in October, 2007 and  was based at Wyvern Barracks.

Glowing tributes were last  night paid by senior officers  and those who served alongside him.

Lieutenant Colonel Nick  Kitson, Commanding Officer  of 3 Rifles Battle Group, said:  “Rifleman Marshall was one  of the willing band of volunteers who signed up to join  the Battle Group on what  they knew would be a most  challenging tour. From the  moment he arrived with his  company he had the respect  and friendship of them all.

“A policeman by day and  talented soldier by night, he  epitomised everything that is  great about our reserve forces  and the men and women who  serve in them. He displayed  all the characteristics that I  look for in a Rifleman;  courage, selflessness and humour, and for these things he  was treasured by those who  worked alongside him.

“The dedication he showed  in protecting his fellow Riflemen by diligently scouring  the ground for devices, all the  while working towards a better future for local Afghans,  gives us great cause for pride  and a real source of inspiration.

“The Battle Group will feel  his loss most keenly as he  provided a depth and colour  to our ranks that will be difficult to replace. Our grief,  however, will be as nothing  compared to those closest to  him.”

Lieutenant Colonel Tim  House, Commanding Officer  of 6 Rifles, said: “For those of  us who new him as a friend as  well as a fellow Rifleman,  Mark was a popular, sociable  and highly regarded member  of a close-knit community  within 6 Rifles. He stands out  as a man who was humorous,  considerate of others and incredibly helpful.

“Rifleman Marshall was a  great role model for younger,  less experienced members of  his platoon and was universally admired by us all. His  death is a great loss to us  all.”

Lance Corporal Brent  Meheux said: “Mark, or  ‘Marshy’ as he was known to  his mates, and I met when we  joined the TA together in  2007. Before we left to join 3  Rifles I remember 6 Rifles  putting on a welfare morning  in Exeter and afterwards  Marshy, his mum Lynn, sister Jo, myself and my wife  spent a lazy summer afternoon sat in a local pub garden.

“His brother Alex couldn’t  make it, but from the chat  and the way they were together you knew how close he  was to his family, and he was  without a doubt the apple of  his mum’s eye.

“I know how devastated  they will be by his death, but I  also remember his mum saying that she always knew he’d  do this, ever since he was a  child he’d always wanted to  join up, and how, although  she hated the thought of him  being away, they were all really proud of him for following his dreams.

“A few months from now,  when I’ve left 3 Rifles, I’ll be  propping up a bar in Exeter  TA Centre and some young  recruit is bound to ask me  how ‘Marshy’ died. I’ll smile,  raise my glass and tell him;  ‘He died how he lived, my son,  as a Rifleman, swift and  bold’.”

Corporal James Down, Section Commander in 7 Platoon, said: “Marshy, you were  the most selfless bloke I have  ever known. I know I always  wanted you on patrol with  me. I felt safe. You were to me  an older brother I never  had.”

  Corporal James Morgan, 6  Rifles, said: “He will be sorely  missed by the lads down at  Wyvern Barracks. I know he  believed passionately in what  he did, and will always remember when, whilst we  were heading out for a pint or  two one evening, he taught  some youngsters the error of  their ways.

“That epitomized him to  me —  keen to make a difference when others might  have walked on by.”

Defence Secretary Bob  Ainsworth said Rifleman   Marshall  was a man who had  dedicated his life to public  service.