FELLOW Royal Marines have talked of their respect and admiration for ‘outstanding’ Cpl Stephen Walker, from Norton Fitzwarren’s 40 Commando, who was killed in Afghanistan on Friday.

Cpl ‘Whisky’ Walker has been praised by his fellow colleagues for his courage and charisma while serving his country – hailing him a hero for saving lives on the battlefield.

The 42-year-old father-of-two, from Exmouth, was killed by an explosion in Sangin on Friday morning.

His wife Leona told yesterday of Stephen’s dedication as a family man.

Below, the County Gazette gives a reaction from Cpl Walker’s colleagues in Afghanistan to his tragic death.

MAJOR Sean Brady, Officer Commanding Alpha Company, 40 Commando Royal Marines said: “Cpl Walker, known to all in the Company and the Unit as 'Whisky', was probably the most professional Marine I have had the pleasure of serving with during my career.

“With an eye for detail, he was never willing to sacrifice standards or cut corners in order to find easier ways of doing things; moreover, he was never willing to allow others to do so either.

"During the Confirmation Exercise in the build-up training for the deployment to Afghanistan, his performance was highlighted by the exercise directing staff as exceptional, and they observed that during a building search that he was in charge of they had never seen the task completed so well, in fact it was more or less the perfect solution.

“It was this level of commitment which led me to move him from 1 Troop to the newly formed 3 Troop so that he could quickly raise it up to the level required to deploy.

“Whisky was initially not happy, and in his usual style he explained to me in no uncertain terms how hard he had worked in getting his original section to the standard he required.

“However, as was typical with him, he quickly set about moulding his new section and bringing them up to his impeccably high standard. It would be fair to say that 3 Troop quickly embodied the 'Whisky' way of doing things. Once in Afghanistan I went out on patrol with him on a number of occasions and I was immensely impressed with how he led and protected the marines under his command.

"On one occasion I vividly remember him physically stopping the lead man of his patrol with a wise hand on the shoulder just as the lead man was about to move through a trip wire.

“His actions undoubtedly saved the lives of the marines in the patrol and this event just enhanced his already legendary reputation.

“In Cpl Walker I had someone who was always ready with some useful advice and he was confident enough in his own abilities not to be afraid of passing this on, regardless of rank. Most importantly however, he was loyal to his men and he died at the front of the patrol where he was best placed to lead and protect his men.

“The Royal Marines have lost a great leader; however, if he were here now to give us some advice, the consummate professional in him would tell us to "crack on" and get the job done. So we will. Our thoughts and prayers are now with his wife, daughter and son at this difficult time.

"Cpl 'Whisky' Walker was an outstanding Royal Marine and Junior Non-Commissioned Officer, he was a privilege to have commanded.”

CAPT Dan Sawyers, Officer Commanding, 3 Troop, Alpha Company said: "Cpl 'Whisky' Walker was an outstanding Royal Marine and Junior Non-Commissioned Officer, he was a privilege to have commanded.

"He set impeccably high standards, and was a constant reminder of the very qualities that are instilled in every Royal Marine during training. He loved his job and the Royal Marines, and his enthusiasm was infectious throughout the Troop. No one, from Marine to Troop Commander was safe from a daily reminder about the standards we should be striving to achieve. He had a great sense of humour that never faltered whatever the situation.

"To them, the gift of leadership and the ability to inspire complete devotion and loyalty were his to an exceptional degree. He was the consummate professional, and a true friend to all that knew him. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Leona, daughter Greer, and son Samuel, who he spoke so dearly of throughout his time in Afghanistan."

SGT 'Darbs' Darbyshire, 3 Troop Sergeant, Alpha Company said: “Cpl 'Whisky' Walker was a man who I had the pleasure of getting to know during my time in 3 Troop. I had only worked with him for the last 6 months, and it was a privilege to have done so. He was and still is one of the most professional Royal Marines I have ever met.

"With his unselfish nature and knowledge of the job, it was often hard to rein his enthusiasm in. You would sometimes think that he had just passed out of training, and had not been in the Corps for some 20 years, with the passion and drive he displayed in everything he did.

“He was always the one to lead from the front and always keen to pass on his experience to the rest of the Troop. He was a larger than life character, who will be deeply missed by everyone who knew him. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his loving family, especially his wife and children. We will always miss you Whisky, but never forget you.”

Sergeant 'Dinger' Bell, 1 Troop Sergeant, Alpha Company, 40 Commando Royal Marines said: “Cpl Stephen 'Whisky' Walker, a proud and loving father and husband, a true Bootneck legend, a leader of men who always led from the front. He inspired all those around him and his values, standards and professionalism were second to none.

"He was a charismatic man who had a presence whenever you were near him. He never suffered fools gladly, but he strived to bring everyone up to his level and he would never let you down. He was never above you, he was never below you; he was always by your side. Goodbye brother.”

CPL Ash Morris, 1 Troop, Alpha Company, 40 Commando Royal Marines said: “Never has a kinder man walked the planet. Whisky was a man who never failed to speak his mind for the benefit of others, even if this would get him into trouble. All that mattered to him were the things closest to his heart; his family and his loyal section of Marines. Proud of his heritage he would regularly be seen educating the English boys on the Scottish/Celtic ways of the past.

“However, it was his professionalism that made Whisky the figure he w as. Operational service in Northern Ireland and Iraq gave him the qualities of an outstanding Royal Marines Commando. Whisky was a man who will always be loved, missed, and remembered by all who knew him.”