PETERBOROUGH -- The family of Cpl. Mark Robert McLaren gathered at the Peterborough Armouries with relatives and friends to pay tribute to their courageous fallen soldier.

The Friday night vigil, just hours after news of his death broke, was the first of likely many memorials to the small city's young warrior who despite being wounded during his first tour in Afghanistan signed on for a second tour even before his first, and now last, homecoming.

Announcing McLaren's death, Canadian military officials revealed the 23-year-old had saved the life of an Afghan soldier a few weeks earlier, crawling under fire to the injured soldier to give him first aid.

Back in his hometown, his older brother openly wished he had been there to do the same for McLaren.

"He was my best friend. He was my little brother and I should have been maybe there protecting him," Miles McLaren told the Sun as he hugged his stepmother and wiped tears from his eyes. "He didn't get to live enough years."

McLaren was killed instantly Friday along with Warrant Officer Robert John Wilson and Pte. Demetrios Diplaros, when their armoured vehicle struck an improvised explosive device while on regular patrol.

All three were from the 1st Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment, based in Petawawa, Ont.

McLaren's father, Alan, wasn't surprised his son had risked his life a few weeks ago to save another soldier.

"That's Mark. He would risk himself for the help of others," Alan McLaren said. "That's our son. That's our hero. He did everything he set out to do and we're so proud of him."

While serving as a reservist on tour in Afghanistan in 2006, McLaren was wounded by friendly fire when a A-10 Thunderbolt mistakenly opened up on a group of soldiers.

One soldier was killed in the mishap. Just days before his 21st birthday, McLaren was in hospital with shrapnel in the upper right thigh and the back of his neck. Despite the injuries, he was able to resume duties.

When McLaren came home the first time, the city had tributes from the local MP, MPP and the Peterborough city councilman.