The body of a “legendary” Hounslow soldier killed in Afghanistan was returned to his homeland to be buried.

The wife of Fusilier Petero ‘Pat’ Suesue, of the 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, who was killed while on patrol in Helmand on May 22, took the Fijian’s body back to the country of his birth last week.

The Fiji Daily Post reported that traffic was brought to a standstill as the funeral procession carried the 28-year-old on the journey to the church.

Speaking to the Fiji Daily Post, younger brother, Jovesa Vualiku, said Fusilier Suesue's death had been devastating for him and his family, as they had been looking forward to seeing the keen rugby player at Christmas.

He said: “It came as a huge shock to us all who knew and loved Petero and especially our mother for we were so looking forward to meeting up with him at the end of the year during the Christmas break as he was planning to visit us then.

“He was just a great person to be with and was always joking about everything and his death was just too hard to bear, not only for me and my other brothers and sister but especially our dear mother.

"His departure is something I guess will be hard for us to get over and we will sorely miss him.

“Petero was a very kind and polite person to all and he was always around mingling with friends and family members whenever he would come to Fiji for a break and his presence was always felt when he was here. He leaves behind a huge gap in our lives and he will surely be missed by everyone.”

Two weeks ago the Hounslow and Brentford Times reported how Fusilier Suesue’s Hounslow memorial service was packed with soldiers, friends and family.

Fusilier Suesue was buried in his homeland of Nakaile village.

His widow Emma broke down as she recounted how the pair met and what her life was like without him.

She said: “I still can’t believe he is gone. It is with great sadness that Pat is no longer with us.”

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