A former Royal Marine who was based in Arbroath is believed to be the first Briton to die fighting Isil.
Konstandinos Erik Scurfield is said to have been killed fighting Islamic State jihadists in Syria as a volunteer fighter with the Kurdish People’s Protection Units.
It is believed the 25-year-old from Barnsley was killed near the city of Qamishli on the border of Turkey on Monday when he was hit by mortar during a fire-fight with Isil militants.
Friends indicated that he was a former member of 45 Commando, an amphibious unit within 3 Commando Brigade based at RM Condor in Arbroath.
The Foreign Office said it was aware of reports of a Briton killed in Syria but that it was “extremely difficult” to get any confirmation of deaths or injuries.
John Foxx, an American who fought alongside Mr Scurfield in The Lions of Rojava unit of foreign fighters within the YPG, paid tribute to him and vowed to avenge the death.
“Words cannot describe how I feel right now…. I have lost family members, close friends, buddies in the Corps but nothing has hurt as much as losing one of my Chappy brothers from the Y.P.G.
“Hands down one of the greatest people I have ever met in my life….I cannot even begin to describe the character of this man.
“Every day since the moment I was separated from my brothers I have be dreading the news I knew was going to come eventually and it finally caught up to me. You will be avenged my brother.”