HE was a young man who achieved so much in 20 years.

And the family of Cpl Jake Hartley – one of the six soldiers killed in a Taliban bomb blast – have so many wonderful memories.

They are filled with tremendous pride that he achieved so much, winning top recruit awards and becoming a full corporal at the age of 20, the youngest in his unit in the Yorkshire Regiment.

His mum Natalie and stepdad Mark Taylor, of New Mill, also remember a young man who loved every minute of life.

“He was a superstar with the moves of Mick Jagger,” said his mum, 39. “He was an amazing lad. He was my rock.”

Cpl Hartley would have celebrated his 21st birthday tomorrow.

He had flown out to Afghanistan with Corunna Company of the 3rd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment with great hope, having been chosen to lead a section.

It was his second tour of Afghanistan, having been there when he was just 18, and Mr Taylor, 44, said: “We were so happy for him.

“He loved the Army and the Army changed his life, giving him discipline and responsibility.

“He had started work as a plumber after leaving school in Earlsheaton but then decided he wanted to join the Royal Marines.

“He applied but failed on one question, but they thought so highly of him they asked him to return in six months. He couldn’t wait and went out and enlisted in the Army.

“We were so proud. He won the prize for best recruit twice and was the youngest in the Battalion to qualify as a Physical Training Instructor.

“And he worked so hard to become a corporal at just 20.

“What’s happened is so terribly sad but we also feel immense pride at what he has achieved. He and the others were still very young men but they had taken on an enormous responsibility and we owe them.

“Jake was responsible for six people when they were out in the field and he revelled in that role.”

Cpl Hartley has a brother Ethan, 12, a stepbrother Shawn and a stepsister Niki.

Like many young men his age, he loved socialising and sport – being good friends with boxer Gary Sykes and Huddersfield Giants star Keith Mason.

His mum said: “He wasn’t meant to go to Afghanistan until February 28 but he was delighted to go out there on Valentine’s Day with the advance party.

“He didn’t want to sit around; he wanted to get on with the job. He was a real action man.”

FORMER Earlsheaton High School pupil Jake Hartley always wanted to join the Army. Aged just 17, he won the Best Recruit award in his platoon, for being the best across all aspects of military and physical training.

He was presented with an engraved tankard at his passing-out parade and was promoted to from private to junior sergeant.

The promotion came at the end of his 20-week training course at the Army Training Regiment in Bassingbourn, Cambridgeshire.

He went on to infantry training at Catterick before being sent to Afghanistan on February 14.

Tributes on Facebook included one from Jake’s cousin, Courtney Hartley.

She said: “Jake – you were the star of the family, our soldier, we all really love you.

“You made us all laugh and went red when you got shy but now you’re with nanna and auntie Lisa, night night, love you loads luv ikkle C.”

On Wednesday afternoon, before his death was confirmed, she posted: “Words can't describe the way I'm feeling and all my family will be feeling.

“He was doing right by our country, he never did anything bad, he was a good lad and always will be, you’re always in our hearts. I love you Jake you meant the world to us all and we’re all very proud of u Cuz !”

On Twitter, friend of Jake’s, Bronagh Hawkin, posted a picture of her with him, commenting: “You always hear ‘six more soldiers dead’ but you never pay attention till you knew one. RIP Jake xxx”.

Cpl Hartley was a keen Huddersfield Giants fan and was a good friend of the team’s prop Keith Mason.

Dewsbury based professional boxer, Gary Sykes, also posted a picture of himself with Hartley, saying: “Heartbreaking news today – lost a friend in Afghanistan.

“My thoughts, prayers and love goes out to his family. RIP Jake Hartley.”

Friend Tom Swailes, said: “Thoughts go out to all soldiers that lost their lives today and a friend Jake Hartley who lost his life fighting for our country #trueheroes.”

Beth Beaumont, put: “Batley’s lost a hero!.. Rest in Peace Jake Hartley, thinking of his family and friends xxx.”

Paul Levey, headteacher at Earlsheaton Technology College, said: “Jake is remembered in school as a vibrant, lively, unassuming, good natured and very determined boy.

“He had a distinct sense of responsibility to other people. He is a credit to his family and our thoughts go out to them.”