A BOMB disposal expert killed in Afghanistan had previously been injured in a blast and insisted on returning to the war zone.

Captain Daniel Read, of 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps, based at Vauxhall Barracks in Didcot, was killed by a bomb in northern Helmand on Monday.

Today, colleagues paid tribute to the 31-year-old’s “tremendous physical and mental courage” after he insisted on returning to the country, despite being caught in a bomb blast in October.

Colleagues described Capt Read as a dedicated bomb disposal expert who had defused 32 roadside bombs while serving in Afghanistan.

In October he was severely injured when a bomb went off just two metres away from him.

A military police colleague was killed in the blast.

Capt Read suffered shrapnel wounds to his chest and arms, but returned to the frontline just two months later.

His commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Gareth Bex, said: “Dan Read was filled with a zest for life, and I found him instantly likeable.

“Despite the inherent dangers, Dan was determined to return to Afghanistan... he had a job to finish and a team to rejoin.

“His return after injury is but one example that could be used to illustrate Dan’s tremendous physical and mental courage.

“But for those who knew him you simply had to see the cheeky grin, or hear him say ‘no dramas’ in the face of a daunting task to know nothing could faze him.

“He made the ultimate sacrifice, but his actions have saved countless numbers of the lives of both his fellow soldiers and the Afghans whom he fought to protect.”

His death was the latest tragedy to hit the Didcot-based regiment in recent months.

It follows the death of Staff Sgt Olaf Schmid, who was killed on the final day of a five-month tour of Afghanistan in November.

Captain Dan Shepherd, 28, also of 11 OED Regiment, was killed in July by an explosion in Helmand province.

And Warrant Officer Gary O’Donnell, 40, died from blast wounds in September 2008 when a device he was trying to defuse exploded in Musa Qala, Helmand.

Capt Read's widow Lorraine said: “Dan was so brave, he was my hero and best friend, he was a loving husband, son, brother, uncle and friend.

“He will never be forgotten and always in my heart.”

Speaking directly to her husband, Mrs Read, who lives in Cornwall, added: “I’m so proud and privileged to have been your wife.”

Capt Read was born in Kent and joined the armed forces when he was a teenager.

Capt Read completed his training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in December 2004 and joined the Royal Logistics Corps in April 2005, serving in Afghanistan for the first time 12 months later.

Capt Gareth Bateman, second-in-command of the Joint Force EOD group, said: “Lesser men would have opted for the easy option and stayed at home after being injured, but Dan had a task to finish, a team to lead and a battle that he wanted to continue fighting.

“Dan gave his life playing his part in trying to rid this country of the indiscriminate threat of IEDs.

“He was totally selfless to the end.”

Capt Read was one of six Nato soldiers killed in several incidents on Monday, the deadliest day for foreign forces in two months.

His body will be flown back to RAF Lyneham, in Wiltshire, and a cortege will travel to the John Radcliffe Hospital, in Oxford.

Oxfordshire Royal British Legion vice-chairman Jim Lewendon said: “These people who take on roles like bomb disposal are incredibly brave.

“They are exceptional people.

“We will be turning out in force at the repatriation.”