Town and England legend Terry Butcher’s son Christopher, a former soldier who served in Afghanistan, died yesterday morning aged 35, the family has announced.

In a Facebook post last night Butcher’s other son, Edward, 32, wrote: "It is with the up most sadness that I regret to say that my brother Christopher Butcher has passed away this morning.

"My older brother was the best brother I can ever of asked for and his death has hit the entire family hard. The family are together and we will release the dates of the funeral in due time.

"I wanted to put this on Facebook to inform all who knew him. We know how greatly he was loved and we’re sorry that we can’t call every person who knew him to tell them.”

In a further post, he added: “Chris you were my hero, you were my best friend and you were someone I would throw myself in the way of a truck for!

“Thank you for everything you ever taught me and I will miss you for the rest of my life but you will never be forgotten!”

Speaking three years ago Terry, 58, said he couldn’t have been prouder of Christopher, who was married and served as a captain with the Royal Artillery before leaving the army in 2015, but said he had found life hard since returning from Afghanistan.

"Unfortunately Chris is not in a good way right now,” he said. "When he told me about going into that compound in Afghanistan, feeling the bullets pinging off his helmet, well..."

Photo: TWTD/Facebook

Keaneish added 19:52 - Oct 17 Deepest condolences are of course to be shared but I've always found the P for peace in RIP completely bewildering at times like this. Where's the peace for anyone in this scenario from the poor, exploited people of Afghanistan to the Butcher family. Another non-sensical casualty for a non-sensical cause. It's about time youmg lives ceased being squandered on myths.
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MickeyMills added 20:21 - Oct 17 What a very sad occasion. My thoughts are with you and your family Terry.
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Elizabeth added 21:02 - Oct 17 So very sorry to hear this devastating news for Terry and his family ! My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time.
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TimmyH added 22:27 - Oct 17 God bless you Terry and your family, far too young to lose a son. RIP Christopher Butcher.
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bigolconnor added 10:06 - Oct 18 Terribly sad. Sorry for your loss the Butcher family.
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baxter7 added 08:59 - Oct 19 I hope we have a minutes silence on sun for terry and his family as a mark of respect
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blueboy1981 added 17:30 - Oct 19 Tragic, absolutely tragic situation for Terry and his Family - no words can be enough to ease the obvious pain being felt. R.I.P Chris and grateful thanks for serving our Country. Terry, you are one of our LEGENDS and for what little it can offer you at such a sad time - ALL our thoughts are with you.
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