AN “exceptional man, soldier and leader” killed in a suicide attack in Afghanistan will be repatriated tomorrow.

Hundreds of people are expected to line the streets of Oxfordshire to pay their respects to Warrant Officer Class 2 Ian Fisher, nicknamed “The Colonel”, from 3rd Battalion The Mercian Regiment, who was killed in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, on November 5.

On November 4, father-of-two WO2 Fisher, 42, began a two-day operation to combat insurgent activity and the following day the vehicle he was travelling in was attacked.

WO2 Fisher, from Essex, joined the Territorial Army in February 1993 with B Company, 3rd (Volunteer) Battalion The Staffordshire Regiment, based in Stoke-on-Trent.

He had completed operational tours in Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan.

WO2 Fisher leaves his wife, Emma and two sons, James, seven, and William, five, and his parents, Simon and Helen.

His wife, Emma, said: “Ian will always be the centre of my life.

“He will be remembered as a doting father, loving husband and a true professional soldier.

“He loved being a soldier, that’s what he lived for.

“We are all so proud and always will be.”

Lieutenant Colonel Chris Davies, commanding officer of 3rd Battalion The Mercian Regiment, said: “To lose a soldier in combat is a tragedy that hits any unit hard, but to lose a warrant officer of WO2 Ian Fisher’s calibre and standing in such a tight-knit family regiment is a huge blow that has left the whole battalion numb.”

He added: “His reputation as a tough-talking, no-nonsense sergeant major belied his quick wit and mischievous sense of humour and his men loved him for it.

“A larger-than-life character, he played a pivotal role in battalion life, always at the forefront where there was fun to be had.

“His nickname of ‘The Colonel’ epitomised him; he was the consummate professional, never happier than when leading from the front and making things happen. Hugely popular, he is already sorely missed.”

Secretary of State for Defence Philip Hammond said: “It is clear from the tributes from his colleagues that he was an exemplary soldier who made a huge contribution to the Army over many years, on a number of operational tours.

“My thoughts and deepest condolences are with his family and friends.”

The plane carrying the body of WO2 Fisher will land at about 12.30pm and the cortege will pass the Memorial Garden, Carterton, at about 3pm, reaching the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford via Headley Way at about 4pm.