The mother of a fallen Baildon soldier has spoken of her pride in her “exceptional” son after his name was the first to be inscribed on a new war memorial stone.

Royal Engineer Sapper Jordan Rossi, 22, was killed by a hidden improvised explosive device (IED), near Sangin, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, in May 2009.

His name has now been etched into a new memorial stone commemorating service personnel from Baildon who have died since the end of the Second World War. His name was been added to the village’s existing war memorial at the request of Sapper Rossi’s mother, Teresa, and funded by Baildon Parish Council and Bradford Council.

Mrs Rossi visited the new memorial with her daughters Kelly, 29, and Lyndsay, 26, after it was unveiled.

“We all stood and had a cry,” Mrs Rossi said. “I am very, very proud of Jordan. He was an exceptional young man whose passing touched the lives of many people.

“He will always be remembered for his bubbly and caring personality. Seeing his name engraved in the memorial made me finally realise he is never coming home.

“I am so pleased that Baildon Parish Council and Bradford Council have been able to erect this memorial in memory of our brave servicemen and women.

“The memorial stone is very tasteful and blends in beautifully with the result of the war memorial. It is really lovely.

“Jordan’s being the first named makes it extra special to me.”