NZ soldier's body arrives in UK

Private John 'Jack' Howard. Photo / Supplied

The remains of New Zealand soldier John "Jack" Howard, killed in Afghanistan earlier this month, were repatriated to Britain overnight (NZ time).

The 23-year-old British Army paratrooper is thought to have been killed by friendly-fire from a United States Air Force plane in Helmand Province on December 5. His body was retuned to the Lyneham base of the Royal Air Force.

Private Howard, from the 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, was serving with 16 Air Assault Brigade's Reconnaissance Force on his second tour in Afghanistan when he was hit.

The New Zealander was on a patrol 10km south-west of the provincial capital of Helmand Province, Laskar Gah, when he was shot, and Britain's Ministry of Defence (MoD) has launched a full investigation into the incident.

Private Howard's Wellington family and his girlfriend have flown to Britain for a private ceremony at the base in Wiltshire.

Afterwards, the high street of the small market town near the base, Wootton Bassett, is expected to be lined by local people and Royal British Legion members as well as mourners.

The town is noted for the informal public mourning held as hearses carrying the bodies of soldiers killed in Afghanistan pass through the town from RAF Lyneham, 136km west of London.

Private Howard was the fifth New Zealand-born soldier to die in action in Afghanistan.

He leaves behind his parents Roger and Anne, two sisters Charlotte and Isabella, and his girlfriend Sophie.

Tributes for Pvte Howard flooded in after his death, with his family telling the British Defence Ministry he was "immensely proud to be both a Para and a New Zealander" and was passionate about what he was doing.

"As a family we are absolutely devastated to lose our son, brother, grandson, nephew and cousin.

"Jack died serving alongside some of the great friends he had made in the Army. He comes from a strong and loving family and we miss him dearly."

Lieutenant Colonel James Coates, the commanding officer of the 3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, said Private Howard was the "archetypal paratrooper".

"Where others might have chosen the easy option in life, Jack lived his dreams in full knowledge of the risks involved. He was a brave and utterly dependable man and a good friend to all. The regiment has lost a rising star."

Lance Corporal Aaron Carr, section second-in-command, 5 Platoon B Company, 3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment said Private Howard was one of his closest friends.

"I remember on Op Herrick 8, he gave himself the nickname "Kiwi" and even had a badge made; so the blokes called him everything else but "Kiwi" to his annoyance! He took the banter in typically good form and was always quick to laugh! Even though he was recently attached to the [Brigade Reconnaissance Force], he will be remembered by 5 Platoon as one of our own, and will be greatly missed. Rest in Peace."

Captain Frank Reeves, second-in-command, Brigade Reconnaissance Force, described a popular soldier.

"Let me tell you about Private Jack Howard. Firstly and annoyingly he was better looking than all of us and everybody who came into contact with Jack loved him. A well-respected paratrooper, he excelled at his job - it was because of this that he was selected to be part of the specialist Brigade Reconnaissance Force."

- NZPA with NZHERALD STAFF