The family of a soldier who died a year ago said the past 12 months have been the most difficult of their lives.

Captain Daniel Read was serving with 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps, when he died on January 11 last year.

The 31-year-old, who grew up in Gillingham, was killed while dismantling an improvised explosive device.

His sister Rebecca Huntingford, of Old Castle Walk, Rainham, visited the war memorial outside St Margaret's Church in Rainham, to lay flowers on the anniversary of his death.

The mother of two, who works at the Ohd hair salon in Rainham, said: "We have been through every emotion it's possible to go through in the past year. It has been the most difficult year of my life."

The past year has seen two new additions to Capt Read's family. His dad Les, of Repton Way, Walderslade, married his partner Susan Carpenter and Capt Read's younger sister Nina had a baby.

Rebecca said: "It's been a rollercoaster of a year. It has been very hard with all the ups and downs but you have to carry on. Daniel would have wanted us to carry on, he wasn't one to sit around and mope."

Capt Read (pictured left) was awarded a posthumous Queen's Commendation for Bravery (QCB) last year for his work in Afghanistan.

Rebecca said: "We were so proud when we heard Dan got the QCB, and are looking forward to the Pride in Medway awards, where he's been nominated.

"For us, and for other families going through the same thing, you have to try and take the positives you can. We are proud of Dan and understand that was his calling in life.

"The support of friends, family and the public has been utterly amazing. Without that it would be so much harder to cope."

Capt Read went to Byron Primary School, Gillingham, and then on to Rainham Mark Grammar School before joining the Army at 16.

After a stint in the Royal Engineers, he went to Sandhurst before joining the Royal Logistic Corps, where he trained as an Ammunition Technical Officer.
Capt Read lived in Cornwall with his wife, Lou.

Did you know Capt Read? Leave your tributes below?