'A LOVING husband and father, hugely popular and a tough and respected soldier' — some of the tributes paid to a man, who lived in the Okehampton area as a child, and who died while serving in Afghanistan. His funeral is to be held in Merton.

Corporal Michael John Pike from A Company, The Highlanders, 4th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, was killed in the Lashkar Gah area of Helmand Province on June 3 after the patrol he was part of came under fire from rifles and rocket propelled grenades.

Cpl Pike, aged 26 and married to Ida, had two children, Joshua and Evelynn.

He was taking part in an operation to prevent the insurgents from intimidating the local population and attacking the Afghan Police checkpoint. Corporal Pike was leading the patrol in a contact with a group of insurgents when he was killed in action.

After moving to Scotland as a child Michael Pike lived in Huntly, Aberdeenshire, and later joined the Army as a junior soldier in 2002, qualifying as a physical training instructor in 2007. After a tour of Iraq, he served with B Company, 4 SCOTS in Helmand Province in 2008. He returned to Afghanistan with his company in April this year.

His wife, Ida, said: 'My husband would want everybody to know that he died doing a job he loved and that he loved our children with all his heart and soul.'

Lieutenant Colonel

Alastair Aitken, his commanding officer of Combined Force Lashkar Gah and The Highlanders, 4th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland said: 'The loss of Corporal Mike Pike has been felt deeply by all ranks of the battalion.

'He was an enormously popular, charismatic and engaging character; a natural leader in every way. As a junior commander he was entirely dedicated to his soldiers, leading from the front with every step and they would follow him anywhere.

'A natural practical joker, his innate sense of fun was a constant source of amusement and relief for the whole platoon. He was marked out by his constant wry smile whether leading his company from the front at PT or pushing his section on when under pressure — simply unflappable.

'As a soldier, he was one of the most professional I have known, and he was the very epitome of a Highland soldier: fierce in battle, compassionate to all and unswervingly loyal to his friends — a code he lived by to the very end.

'Our thoughts and prayers are entirely for his family, and especially Ida, Joshua and Evelynn in Germany; above all else he was a deeply loving and caring family man. His loss has left a hole in the battalion, in his company and especially his platoon.'

The 4th Battalion is based at Falling, Bostel, Germany.

Warrant Officer Euan Philbin, his Regimental Sergeant Major, The Highlanders, described Corporal Pike as a true professional and a great character who had a wicked sense of humour.

'Corporal Pike was a battalion character who will be missed by all; the list of friends and well-wishers will be endless. A true Highlander.'

His funeral will be held at All Saints Parish Church in Merton. The date and time may be obtained from funeral directors R Gist and Son on 01805 622364.

Family flowers only but donations to Help for Heroes and the Royal British Legion may be made at the service or sent to R Gist and Son, 18 Castle Street, Torrington, EX38 8EZ.