A SOLDIER from Bolton has died in hospital after he was shot last month in Afghanistan.

Kingsman Darren Deady, of the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, was injured in Helmand Province on August 23.

The 22-year-old died on Friday at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, with family members at his bedside.

Last night, friends had left dozens of tribute messages on a Facebook page set up in his honour.

Darren’s family have also paid tribute to him, saying he was proud to do a job that he loved, while colleagues remembered him as a true soldier with the heart of a lion.

In a statement issued by his family, they said: “At this moment we are experiencing the hardest times of our life.

“We lost a wonderful son, brother, uncle, grandson and friend. He is going to be missed by all.

“The Army and hospital staff have been amazing and really have looked after us and supported us.

“Darren was proud to do a job that he loved and, most of all, believed in.

“His little brother once turned round to him and asked him: ‘Why do you fight?’ “Darren simply replied ‘to make a difference’.”

Darren’s commanding officer, Lt Col Robbie Boyd, said: “He was always the first to volunteer, to carry the heaviest load or to be first in the patrol to clear a path for his mates.

“This was his second deployment in the face of the enemy and he fought again with the courage and heart of a lion.”

Darren left Rivington and Blackrod High School when he was 16 and joined the Army in October, 2008.

Six months later, he completed his training in Catterick, won awards for physical training and was described as being “head and shoulders above his peers”.

Darren then went to Cyprus to join the 2nd Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, which recruits heavily from Bolton.

In late July, the regiment was deployed in Helmand and seized a Taliban stronghold in the district of Nahr-e Saraj.

Soldiers were protecting a vital location there on August 23 when Darren was shot.

His friends gave him first aid and he was evacuated to hospital at Camp Bastion before being flown to Birmingham.

His senior officer, Major Paul Tingey, said: “Kingsman Deady was a superb soldier — trusted, respected and an example to others.”

The Defence Secretary, Dr Liam Fox, said he was deeply saddened to learn about Darren’s death.

Dr Fox said: “My deepest sympathies are with family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time.”

The number of British losses since the conflict in Afghanistan began in 2001 now stands at 335.