The 18-year-old, who joined the Army in September 2007, was serving with The 2nd Battalion The Rifles when he was killed on Friday trying to help save his injured comrades.

It was his first tour of duty but despite his lack of experience in the field, his colleagues have described him as "a natural soldier" whose "sense of service was humbling".

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Corporal Jonathan Horne and Riflemen Backhouse, William Aldridge, Joseph Murphy and Daniel Simpson were killed in a suspected ambush near the town of Sangin in central Helmand, around 60 miles north of Kandahar.

A roadside bomb exploded, which is thought to have killed one soldier and injured two.

Then, as the remaining soldiers bravely moved in to help their wounded comrades a second bomb was detonated, killing four and injuring several others.

Rifleman Backhouse was trying to clear a route for the rescuers when he died in the second blast.

Yesterday his parents Andrew and Sharon and his three brothers, Gareth, Dean and Ryan, were still trying to come to terms with the devastating news.

The teenager's death seemed all the more tragic because his family were expecting him to return home today, said family friend Brian Hopton.
The 61-year-old said yesterday: "It's very raw for the family. He was due home tomorrow."

He added: "His mum didn't know – it was a surprise."

Mr Hopton had known Rifleman Backhouse – known to friends and family as Jimmy – since he was a baby and used to go fishing with him.

He said the teen had announced his decision to join the Army at his 60th birthday party 18 months ago.

He said: "We got him up on the stage and everybody applauded him.
"He was a very brave young man."

He added "He's going to be sadly missed."

Flowers and messages had been laid in front of the family home yesterday (sun) and family and friends gathered at the house to pay tribute to the popular sporting youngster.

After joining the Army, Rifleman Backhouse arrived in 2 Rifles in April 2008 where he joined 9 Platoon, C Company.

As an under-18 he was unable to serve with his comrades in Kosovo last year because he was too young.

So he was excited and enthusiastic about putting everything he'd learned into practice when he was deployed to Afghanistan in March.
Tragically, he wouldn't live long enough to fulfil his potential or even see a second tour.

Lieutenant Colonel Rob Thomson MBE, Commanding Officer 2 Rifles Battle Group, said: "Rifleman Backhouse was a natural soldier".

He added "As part of 9 Platoon, he had endured some of the most austere conditions in Sangin – there was never a murmur of complaint and he was the sort who simply got on.

"He was a determined, rigorous and thoughtful young man who saw the lighter side of life."

He added: "He was utterly selfless and always the first man in his Company to welcome new Riflemen.

"He is sorely missed and his family are front and centre of our prayers at this unimaginably difficult time."

Rifleman Kevin Holt said: "Rifleman Backhouse was a very close friend and a fellow Yorkshireman.

"He was good at his job and never complained. I will miss him dearly and so will the rest of 9 Platoon.

"He loved his sports and his nights out with the lads.

"He died for his country, which he loved, and is a hero in my eyes, and should be in the rest of the country's eyes.

"I'll never forget you James and I'm proud to say I knew you."

Sergeant Jamie Moncho, 9 Platoon Sergeant, said: "James had a demanding role within his section as the lead man.

"He was brave and seemed to be without fear as he led patrols in the most demanding of situations.

"He was always first to cross the finish line and relished leading from the front."

"He loved his fellow Riflemen and his family dearly."

Major Alistair Field, Officer Commanding C Company 2 Rifles, described Rifleman Backhouse as "a gritty-sounding Yorkshireman."

He added: "This tour had brought out the best in Rifleman Backhouse."
He said: "His sense of service was humbling."

Captain Edward Poynter, Operations Officer C Company 2 Rifles, said: "His keen eye and ability to process what he saw in front of him quickly identified him as a natural Lead Scout and he was proud to fill this vital role.

"Rifleman Backhouse was a cheerful and deeply loved member of his Platoon, and the wider Company, and he will be missed greatly."

A sixth soldier, from the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment, died on Friday in an explosion near Nad-e-Ali, in the bloodiest 24 hours for British ground troops in Afghanistan since operations began in October 2001.

Their deaths took the total to 15 British troops killed in just 10 days in southern Afghanistan, as they continue Operation Panther's Claw, a major assault against the Taliban.

The Ministry of Defence is now considering a troop surge in the face of mounting criticism that British forces are understaffed and ill-equipped, after the death toll of British soldiers rose to 184, surpassing the 179 killed in Iraq.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Britain's security depended on helping the Afghanistan and Pakistan Governments to defeat Al-Qaeda and the Taliban.

He said the Treasury was spending more than £3billion this year in Afghanistan.

A private memorial service is expected to be held at the main British Army base in Helmand Province today.