British soldier Major Kevin McCool has died in Kenya, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has said. The 32-year-old, who died while off duty on 29 November, had served in Europe, the Middle East, the Falklands and Africa, the MOD said. The soldier was allegedly attacked while on a motorcycle trip off base, The Telegraph reported. The MoD gave no further information surrounding his death in a statement.

He is survived by his mother and father, his two brothers and two sisters, the ministry added. Defence Secretary Grant Shapps was among those who paid tribute to the soldier. “It’s clear from the tributes of those who knew him that Major McCool was an exceptional person and an exceptional soldier, loved and respected in equal measure, who served his country with distinction,” he said.

“My thoughts and sympathies are with his family, friends, and colleagues currently coming to terms with this most tragic loss.” Commissioned from Sandhurst in August 2014, Major McCool was described by his commanding officer as a “fearless” man who had the “utmost integrity”. “A bright light has gone out among our ranks. He will be missed, but never forgotten,” they said. As well as a “glittering operational record”, Major McCool was said to have “aced” many of the military’s hardest courses.

His officer commanding added: “Kevin McCool’s eyes shone with his spirit of adventure and with his focused, determined nature. He was a pilgrim soul in the truest sense. Intelligent, pro-active and selfless, he was at his best and at his happiest whilst serving others and whilst facing challenges ‘in the arena’. “Spotting opportunities, restless to serve and to seek out challenges, pushing himself to the frontiers, helping others; that is how we will remember him. He was the best of us.”

The MoD said Major McCool had a “mischievous twinkle in his eye” which made him “tremendous fun to be with”. “Kevin thrived in the military environment. He was at his best when deployed, and at his very best when the conditions were at their very worst,” a statement from the ministry said.

Courtesy: Sky News