THE family of a soldier killed by a rogue Afghan policeman have urged all who knew him to turn up at his funeral to pay their respects.

Corporal Nicholas Webster-Smith, 24, from Brackley, was one of five men killed by the police officer, believed to be a member of the Taliban, on November 3. The Royal Military Police officer had been training local officers at an Afghan National Police checkpoint in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

The other men who died were WO1 Darren Chant, Sergeant Matthew Telford, Guardsman James Major and Corporal Steven Boote.

Cpl Webster-Smith was a member of Brackley Rugby Club, which played a big part in his life.

His funeral will take place tomorrow at St Peter’s Church, Brackley, at 11am.

Cpl Webster-Smith’s family, parents Richard and Jacqueline, siblings Christopher, Samuel and Hannah, and partner Emma Robinson have asked for donations instead of flowers in his memory to four charities. These are: The Royal British Legion, The Royal Military Police Benevolent Fund, The Army Dependents Trust and The Special Care Baby Unit at Horton Hospital, Banbury.

In a statement, his family described Cpl Webster-Smith as: “An irreplaceable son, brother, boyfriend and friend, one of the most loving, generous, kind-hearted men you could meet. He always put others first and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Nic will forevermore always be in our hearts.”

Originally from Carmarthen, West Wales, the RMP officer went to Llangunnor Primary School and Queen Elizabeth Cambria Secondary School in Carmarthen before moving to Tenby and later Brackley. He joined the RMP in 2005 and had already completed a tour of Afghanistan as well as Kosovo and the Falkland Islands.

Commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Debbie Poneskis, of 4th Battalion Royal Military Police, described the officer as a “real character” with a “keen sense of humour”. She said: “Cpl Webster-Smith was always the first to volunteer and the last to give up.”

Company commander Major Phil Hacker, said: “Corporal Webster-Smith loved Army life. Serving with Corporal Webster-Smith has inspired and humbled us all.”

Donations can be made via funeral director WJ Franklin and Son, 30 High Street, Brackley.