A soldier killed in Afghanistan has been named by the Ministry of Defence.

Lieutenant Andrew Robert Chesterman was a member of 3rd Battalion The Rifles, which is based at Redford Barracks in Edinburgh.

Lieutenant Chesterman sustained injuries from enemy action in the Nad-e Ali district of Helmand Province on Thursday.

A statement from the Ministry of Defence said: “Lieutenant Chesterman was commanding a vehicle patrol when the lead vehicle struck an improvised explosive device. As he moved forward to take control of the situation the patrol was engaged by insurgent small arms fire and Lieutenant Chesterman was shot.

“Despite the best efforts of his fellow Riflemen at the scene, the medical emergency response team and the staff at the Bastion hospital, Lieutenant Chesterman could not be saved.”

The Rifles were deployed to Helmand in April where Lieutenant Chesterman served as Platoon Commander in C Company. He helped form the Police Advisory Team while serving with the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards Battle Group.

Lieutenant Chesterman, who was 26 years of age, was born in Guilford and after graduating from the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst was commission into the Edinburgh-based Rifles in December 2010.

He leaves behind his father Paul and sisters Anna and Olivia.

Paul Chesterman, the lieutenant’s father, said: "We have lost a fine young man. It was readily apparent that Andrew gave himself fully and wholeheartedly to his career in 3 Rifles.

"At a Battalion Dinner shortly before Op Herrick 16, I was proud to see his easy, close and well accepted rapport with his fellow young officers.

"Andrew was accomplished in many areas. He developed a skill to play both the trombone and piano, graduated with a Master's Degree in Engineering, qualified as a Mountain Leader, enjoyed working as team yacht racing and was proficient on skis. His family are immensely proud of him and will carry him very dearly in their hearts."

His commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Charlie Maconochie described Lieutenant Chesterman as “an outstanding leader of men who epitomised what it means to be a Rifleman”.

Secretary of State for Defence, Philip Hammond, paid tribute to the fallen soldier’s service and sacrifice, saying: "I was immensely saddened to learn of the death of Lieutenant Andrew Chesterman. We have lost an extremely talented and well thought of young man and my thoughts are with his family at this very difficult time.

"Lieutenant Chesterman made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting Britain's national security and the nation will always remember him."