The body of a former journalist and philosophy student, who put down his pen to become an "adored" military leader, was flown back to Britain today.

Lieutenant Paul Mervis, 27, of 2nd Battalion the Rifles, arrived at RAF Lyneham, in Wiltshire, where hundreds lined the streets to pay tribute this morning.

Lt Mervis, who worked at The Week and The Spectator before settling on an army career, was killed on June 12 while on patrol in Afghanistan's Helmand province.

Private Robert McLaren, 20, of The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, who died the previous day, was also on the flight.

British Legion veterans, shopkeepers and dignitaries took to the streets of Wootton Bassett, three miles away from the base, as the men's cortege passed through.

Lt Mervis' comrades saluted together as the hearse stopped briefly in front of them.

This month Afghanistan's combat death toll overtook hostile-fire fatalities in Iraq.

Lt Mervis was killed by an explosive while leading a foot patrol in Helmand. Ten days earlier one of his men, Rifleman Cyrus Thatcher, 19, also fell victim to a bomb.

Lt Mervis' parents Jonathan and Margaret said in a statement he was "passionately committed to his men...far beyond mere duty."

Lt Mervis, described as an "intellectual", grew up in London and was educated at King's College, Wimbledon. He spent a gap year in China and Israel before going on to study philosophy at University College London.

After graduation his passion for politics and travel led him into the world of journalism where he was involved with several leading magazines.

But before long his "thirst for adventure" drew him into the British Army, comrades said.

Lt Mervis was one of the very first officers to commission into the newly formed Rifles in April 2007.

His platoon was then deployed to Afghanistan where the "deep thinker"

provided inspirational leadership.

Commanding Officer 2nd Rifles Battle Group, Lieutenant Colonel Rob Thomson, said: "Lieutenant Paul Mervis was utterly irrepressible. There was no more committed officer in The Rifles and the Riflemen adored being under his command.

"He was one of those leaders who, out here, was always first onto the objective. He had taken the fight to the enemy at every turn and it had not been without a cost.

"He was always the first to grab the wine list in a restaurant, opining that only he knew the best clarets. He was the officer who sent my children the highest on the trampoline and they loved him for it.

"But Paul was not just a fun-lover, he was full of enquiry and was a deep thinker - about soldiering and about life. Out here, he had established a model relationship with the Afghan National Army in his Forward Operating Base - he had an enviable ability to encourage, cajole, inspire and motivate them.

"He read more about Afghanistan than anyone as we prepared for this tour and his empathy for the people of this fascinating country was exemplary."

Officer Commanding C Company, Major Alastair Field, said: "Paul Mervis was a one in a trillion. I have never met a more passionate and engaging young officer in my twelve years in the Army."

Among the estimated crowd of 300 in Wootton today was John Humphreys, 82, formerly of the Fleet Air Arm.

Mr Humphreys said: "I come here to show respect. It would be nice to see a few more of our MPs down here. The poor devils go through enough - it is very sad and I always think of the friends that I lost."

Mayor of Wootton Bassett, Steve Bucknell said: "Every time a cortege comes through I hope it will be the last. I've met with the friends of the rifleman who was killed and they are all very subdued.

"It is a huge loss."

Details of his death came as Britain prepared to bolster its Special Forces in Afghanistan to tackle the growing threat from roadside bombs.

It is hoped the withdrawal of British troops from Iraq will allow some of the SAS effort to be redirected.

The number of UK troops killed on operations in Afghanistan since 2001 now stands at 168. Thirty two UK soldiers have perished so far this year.

Of those killed, 27 died from accidents, illness, or non-combat injuries, the Ministry of Defence say.

Crowds have appeared spontaneously in Wootton to pay their respects since the bodies of British service personnel started being brought home to Lyneham in 2007.

Campaigners want to rename the three mile repatriation route to Wootton The Highway of Heroes.