By Phil Coleman

Last updated 10:09, Saturday, 21 June 2008

Emotional tributes continue to pour in for Sarah Bryant, the courageous 26-year-old Cumbrian woman who was the first female British soldier to die in Afghanistan.

Proud: Dad Des was very supportive of Sarah’s career

As her family grieved for her under a spotlight of media attention, people from all walks of life expressed the sense of loss at the death of Sarah, who was killed with three SAS reservists when their Land Rover was hit by a roadside bomb.

A corporal in the Army’s Intelligence Corps, Sarah was working on a secret counter-terrorism mission on Tuesday afternoon when she died.

To her heartbroken parents Maureen and Des, she was the perfect daughter.

Bubbly, brave, and tenacious, she had been in the Army for just six years and had been singled out for promotion to sergeant.

The words of her 26-year-old husband Carl – a fellow Intelligence Officer – set the tone this week as he spoke of Sarah as “an awesome soldier, a truly special person who died a hero.”

To her father Des, 55, from Cotehill, near Carlisle, she was an angel who lit up any room she walked into while Sarah’s mother Maureen, also 55, said: “Being a woman in a male-dominated environment, she gave it her all. She gave it everything and she paid the ultimate price for that, but I’m so, so proud of what she’s done and what she achieved.”

Among the tributes was one from Geoff Toogood, head teacher at Caldew School in Dalston, where Sarah studied for her A-levels.

He said: “When we saw Sarah’s picture, it triggered memories of this very attractive, very quiet, very humble girl, who was very happy.

“She arrived here in 1993 from Cumwhinton Primary School and she was just one of those kids who did a quiet but superb job throughout her school days.

“She always took tremendous pride in her personal appearance, and always had a smile on her face.”

Many people have chosen to pay tribute via the News & Star’s website.

Marisa Bain, from Aldershot, Hampshire, said: “In her husband’s words, she was she was an awesome soldier and wife.

“I too am from Carlisle and left the Army in March.

I’m so proud good people like Sarah and the guys continue to fight for us and our safety – ‘Never was so much owed by so many to so few’.”

Angela Johnson, from Portsmouth, wrote: “What a wonderful woman.”

Martin Storey, from Blackburn, said: “Another tragic life taken from us so early.

“A lady who has paid the ultimate price in doing her job trying to make the world a safer place.

“We are all proud of her.”

Some of those who left tributes clearly had links with the military.

They included a person who wrote: “It’s unbelievable how brave this young woman was.

“She was obviously a credit to society.

“I lost my friend only last week in Afghanistan so my thoughts and preyers are with Sarah’s mam, dad, husband, friends and other relatives at this hard time.

“May she rest in peace.”

The men who died with Sarah on Tuesday afternoon were: Lance corporal Richard Larkin, 39, a medic, corporal Sean Reeve, 28, and Paul Stout, 31. All were members of the 23 SAS whose role in Afghanistan is to train the country’s fledgling National Police Force.

• You can leave your tributes to Sarah Bryant here