A YOUNG soldier has dedicated a medal to a family friend who died this year fighting in Afghanistan.

Gunner Aaron Lee, from Darlington, has been awarded the Soldiers' Medal, voted by fellow recruits, following his first 20 weeks in the Army.

The 17-year-old was presented with the medal and an engraved silver tankard during his passing-out parade.

During the parade, both Gunner Lee and his father remembered Captain Sean Dolan, who died in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, on June 30. Capt Dolan had been a colleague of Gunner Lee's father for many years and had babysat Aaron.

He was killed during a clash between Coalition forces and the Taliban, near the village of Qaleh-e-Gaz.

Gunner Lee is following in the footsteps of his father who, during his career, was Regimental Sergeant Major of the Worcester and Sherwood Foresters Regiment.

Having left Risedale Community College, in Catterick, North Yorkshire, Gunner Lee joined the Army in March and has just completed his training with the Rhine Platoon, at the Army Training Regiment, at Bassingbourne, in Hertfordshire.

He said: "I am overjoyed that all my hard work and effort eventually paid off, and I am extremely proud to be on the parade square."

He was chosen by his peers as the recruit who had produced the best performance and who they would most trust, respect and wish to serve with in the future.

Platoon Commander Captain BJ Cooke said: "Aaron has shown great ability from the outset in a quiet, but confident manner.

"His high level of determination and enthusiasm throughout the training was inspirational to the other recruits in his platoon and earned him their friendship, respect and loyalty."

As part of his training, Gunner Lee was taken to the battlefield sites in Ypres, Belgium, to introduce him to the realities of war.

After a period of well-earned rest, he will continue his training with the Royal Artillery at Larkhill, near Salisbury.