Sgt. Kirk Taylor, 28, based in Yarmouth, N.S., died when his armoured vehicle hit an improvised explosive device four kilometres south of Kandahar City. He was known as “Sgt. Morale” because of his sense of humour and calm demeanour. Photograph by: Handout , DND

YARMOUTH, N.S. — A Nova Scotia reservist killed Wednesday in Afghanistan fought the Taliban for the same reason he chose a day job helping disadvantage youth in his home province, according to a close friend.

Sgt. Kirk Taylor, 28, went to Afghanistan to make the world a better place, said Warrant Officer Tim Lloyd, 34.

"He had a great respect for humanity," said Lloyd, who served with Taylor in the Yarmouth, N.S.-based 84 Independent Field Battery. "He believed he was doing something that could helped the people of Afghanistan build a better life."

Lloyd said he had been friends with Taylor for 10 years and the two had grown close through their work in the reserve unit. Shortly before Taylor deployed for Afghanistan, the two friends gathered with their girlfriends at Lloyd's home to share a few last laughs and memories. Taylor barely spoke about the mission, said Lloyd.

"We talked about everything, but we didn't want to focus on the mission, especially. We were just hanging out," said Lloyd. "I gave a good old handshake, be safe, and a pat on the back."

It was up to Lloyd Thursday to inform every member of the unit about Taylor's death, which happened Wednesday, about four kilometres south of Kandahar City, when the armoured vehicle he was riding in hit an improvised explosive device. Sgt. George Miok, 28, Cpl. Zachery McCormack, 21, and Pte. Garrett William Chidley, 21, also died in the strike, along with Calgary Herald reporter Michelle Lang.

"There was a lot of sorrow, a lot of grief," said Lloyd. "I mean, he is part of our military family. It is just like losing a brother."

Taylor was living with his girlfriend in the Yarmouth area before he left for Afghanistan and he worked for the Yarmouth Association for Community Residential Options, a non-for profit agency that provides support for children and adult with disabilities. Taylor grew up in Shelburne County, about 100 kilometres east of Yarmouth, said Lloyd. Taylor's father died when he was just a child and he had a younger brother and sister.

The military said Taylor's mother was expected to release a statement sometime Thursday or Friday.

Taylor was the first member of the 84 Independent Field Battery to die in combat in at least 40 years, said Maj. Gus Garant, Battery Commander for the unit. Garant said he remembered the time he first met Taylor several years ago and was immediately impressed by the reservist's knowledge of the military.

"He knew his drill and he really impressed me," said Garant. "I thought, 'wow, he knows his stuff.' He was proud to demonstrate that I may have actually steered him in the wrong direction and he would quote the book and say look at this reference . . . This kid knew what he was talking about."

In Afghanistan, Brig.-Gen. Daniel Menard, Commander of Task Force Kandahar, said Taylor had a flare for military leadership.

"He was a true gunner and known to the troops as Sgt. Morale," said Menard. "He was passionate about his job back home where he mentored troubled young adults. He brought the same enthusiasm with him to Afghanistan."

Now, Taylor's friends are left wondering about what he could have been and what remains unfinished.

"He was destined for good things in the military," said Lloyd.