A soldier who was “part of the heart and soul” of his battalion has died serving in Afghanistan.

Lieutenant Daniel Clack, of Woodford Green was killed by an improvised explosive device while leading a ten man patrol into the village of Dactran on Friday.

Five other members of 1st Battalion The Rifles were injured.

The 24-year-old leaves behind father Martin, mother Sue, brother James and fianc�e Amy Tinley who together paid tribute to him in a statement.

It said: “Dan was a brave rifleman and he died doing the only profession he ever considered.

“He loved leading his riflemen and was so proud to be an officer in the British Army.

“There are no words to describe our loss.

“He will be forever missed by his mother, father, brother, fianc�e and all those who knew him.

“He will always be in our hearts.”

Lieutenant Clack, a keen sportsman, joined the army in May 2009 and trained at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst for 11 months.

He was then deployed to Afghanistan and served as 8 Platoon Commander which is based at Checkpoint Shaparak in the district of Nahr-e Saraj.

Military chiefs said Lieutenant Clack had become “immensely popular” with his rifleman because of his “great empathy and loyalty” to them.

This was highlighted by Lieutenant Marcus Denison who said: “Dan achieved the most difficult status amongst the men: that of being both respected and liked.”

Lieutenant Colonel James de Labilli�re said: “Lieutenant Dan Clack was a young officer who was, quite simply, part of the heart and soul of the battalion.

“He died commanding his Riflemen on operations in the most demanding of circumstances. “He had, day on day, demonstrated a courage and bravery that was profound and inspiring but, as was his way, exercised with the lightest of touch.”

Rifleman Connor Minshall added: “Even though he was the boss, Mr Clack was a friend.”

Lieutenant Clack studied at Exeter University and worked in Switzerland for a ski chalet company before starting his military career.