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Rifleman Sheldon Steel funeral held in Leeds Rifleman Sheldon Steel was 'leader in making'
(about 4 hours later)
The funeral of a 20-year-old soldier from West Yorkshire who was killed in an explosion in Afghanistan will be held in Leeds later. A soldier from West Yorkshire who was killed in Afghanistan has been described as "a leader in the making".
Rifleman Sheldon Steel, from Bramley, of 5th Battalion The Rifles, was killed by the blast from an improvised explosive device while on foot patrol in Helmand province on 27 November. The funeral of Rifleman Sheldon Steel, of 5th Battalion The Rifles, has taken place at St Peter's Church in Bramley, Leeds.
He has been described by his family as "loving, caring and affectionate". Rifleman Steel, 20, was killed by an improvised explosive device while on foot patrol in Helmand province on 27 November.
The funeral for Rifleman Steel will be held at St Peter's Church in Bramley. Maj Matt Helsby, of 5 Rifles, said the soldier's death was "a sad loss".
'Immense skill'
Rifleman Steel's coffin was carried into St Peter's Church draped in a union jack.
Speaking outside the funeral, Maj Helsby said: "He was intellectually above his peers. He was a future leader in the making.
"It's a real loss for the regimental family but more so for his family."
The officer added that Rifleman Steel was "someone with immense skill who already stood out above his peers".
The soldier, who leaves behind his mother, Victoria, brother Kamron, and sisters Cody and Carys, joined the Army in 2009.The soldier, who leaves behind his mother, Victoria, brother Kamron, and sisters Cody and Carys, joined the Army in 2009.
He underwent his combat training at the Infantry Training Centre in Catterick, North Yorkshire, before joining 5 Rifles. He has been described by his family as "loving, caring and affectionate".
'Quiet confidence' In a statement, they said: "He loved being in the Army from when he was in the Army Cadets to joining 5 Rifles.
Rifleman Steel was described by an Army spokesman as a skilled marksman who was "one of the stars of his company".
Lt Col Tom Copinger-Symes, the commanding officer of 5 Rifles, said the soldier had "made his mark across the battalion in double-quick time".
"He truly was a special blend of physical robustness, sharp intellect, old-fashioned politeness, and natural leadership flair - all underscored by a quiet confidence and understated ambition," he said.
The Rifleman had recently won the coveted title Top Dog for winning a contest in his battalion.
In a statement, his family said: "He loved being in the Army from when he was in the Army Cadets to joining 5 Rifles.
"He was a big lad - all 6ft 4in of him - with a big heart."He was a big lad - all 6ft 4in of him - with a big heart.
"Words cannot explain how much he will be missed by us all.""Words cannot explain how much he will be missed by us all."