Murdered soldier named as Lee Rigby from Langley

Drummer Lee Rigby

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Drummer Lee Rigby - the soldier killed close to Woolwich Barracks - was from the Langley Estate in Middleton.

The 25-year-old had been in the 2nd Battalion Royal Regiment of Fusiliers since 2006.

The Ministry of Defence has said he was "a bubbly character" and "loving father".

Ward councillor, Phil Burke, speaking at the Burnside Community Centre on the Langley estate, said: "Lee's family are devastated. The whole community is in shock, we feel numb, his murder was hideous.

Neighbours on the Langley Estate, where he grew up, spoke of their "shock" and "disbelief" at his death and talked of a "wonderful lad".

Andy Grimshaw, who lives a few doors away from the soldier's family, said: "I cannot believe it, I know Lee, he knows my daughter."

Another neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: "He had always wanted to be in the Army since he was knee high."

The Manchester United fan, who was born in Crumpsall, Manchester, had a two-year-old son called Jack. He married Rebecca Metcalfe in Southowram near Halifax in 2007.

Sgt Maj Ned Millar said: "He was one of the Battalion's great characters - always smiling and always ready to brighten the mood with his fellow Fusiliers."

Sgt Barry Ward, Drum Major Second Fusiliers, said: "Drummer Rigby was a loving father, with a very bubbly character. He was an excellent drummer, loved his job and was a highly popular member of the platoon."

Captain Alan Williamson, Drummer Rigby’s platoon commander said, “His loss will be felt across the battalion but this is nothing compared to how his family must be feeling at this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.”

Known as "Riggers" to his friends, he was selected to be a member of the Corps of Drums and was posted to the Second Fusiliers Regiment.

His first posting was as a machine gunner in Cyprus. In 2008 he returned to the UK to Hounslow, West London, where he guarded the Royal Palaces.

In April 2009 he was deployed for the first time to Helmand province, Afghanistan, where he served as a member of the Fire Support Group in Patrol Base Woqab.

On return to the UK he completed a tour of duty in Germany before taking up a recruiting post in London in 2011, where he also assisted with duties at Regimental Headquarters in the Tower of London.

Floral tributes have been left at the barracks with messages of sympathy for the soldier and his family.

The regiment, which is based in Cyprus and London, has served in every major campaign dating back to 1674.

In a frenzied attack, two men set about Drummer Rigby with knives and meat cleavers after they ambushed his car. They were heard to shout Islamic oaths during the attack, which was witnessed by shocked onlookers and videoed on mobile phones.

The men are being held under armed guard in two separate hospitals by police after being shot by them. Their injuries are not thought to be life threatening. The men are believed to have been known to security services.

Councillor Burke appealed for calm; asked if he felt their could be recriminations against sections of the community, he said: "Langley is a strong and close knit community and I do not anticipate any recriminations. I would ask people to bear in mind that these are the murderous actions of a small minority."

Councillor Burke also asked that the family be left in peace to grieve and given time to come to terms with Lee's death.