SHOCKED staff at Holmfirth High School have paid tribute to a former pupil who died a hero fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan.
Private Chris Gray, 19, died on Friday while serving with the 1st Battalion Royal Anglian Regiment in the country's Helmand province.
Mrs Jane Rushworth, head of upper school and careers at Holmfirth High, remembered his arrival at the school in Year 9.
Mrs Rushworth, who taught him history, said: "It's dreadful news. Teachers all commented on his politeness and friendly manner."
Pte Gray was born in Leicester and grew up there, going to Ratby Primary School, Brookvale High School and Groby Community College.
But his family moved to Huddersfield and he went to Holmfirth High.
He joined the form group led by teacher Jonathan Batty, who taught PE.
That was one of Pte Gray's favourite subjects, along with English literature and maths.
Mrs Rushworth said: "Chris worked hard in subjects he enjoyed.
"He was good at PE and was very keen to improve his personal fitness.
"Chris mixed well with his peers and he was particularly good at team work."
Chris left Holmfirth High after his GCSEs and his teamwork and sports skills would service him well in Army life.
In a tribute to the fallen soldier, his senior officers said he was a generous and trustworthy team player with leadership potential and a passion for his job.
Pte Gray was on a routine security patrol in the town of Now Zad with A Company Group, 1 Royal Anglian Battlegroup, when he was killed.
Taliban fighters attacked the company with rockets, heavy machine-guns and rocket-propelled grenades and mortars.
The soldiers leading the patrol were pinned down by enemy fire, so Pte Gray's platoon moved to support their comrades.
Pte Gray went ahead as a lookout before his platoon was engaged in a close- range firefight, which left him fatally wounded.
Pte Gray had only been in the Army eight months. He completed his training as a soldier at the Infantry Training Centre at Catterick Barracks, near Richmond, North Yorkshire.
