Sgt. Kirk Taylor, in an undated photo. Taylor, three other Canadian soldiers and journalist Michelle Lang died when their armoured vehicle hit a powerful improvised explosive device Wednesday on the edge of Kandahar city. (Sgt. Daren Kraus/DND/Canadian Press)

A Yarmouth, N.S., soldier killed Wednesday in a bomb blast in Afghanistan is being remembered for his calm demeanour, sense of humour and ability to lift morale.

Sgt. Kirk Taylor, 28, was among four soldiers and a journalist who died when their light armoured vehicles were struck by an improvised explosive device in the city of Kandahar.

Speaking to reporters in Kandahar, Brig.-Gen. Daniel Ménard said Taylor was known to troops as “Sgt. Morale.”

“Kirk possessed a calm demeanour, great sense of humour, and greeted everyone he met with a smile. Kirk always spoke fondly of his loved ones back home. He enjoyed a challenge, and though he didn’t seek the spotlight, he would take the difficult jobs without complaint,” Ménard said.

“He was passionate about his job back home where he mentored troubled young adults. He brought this same enthusiasm with him to Afghanistan.”

Taylor was also remembered fondly by friends in Yarmouth, a small town on the southwestern tip of Nova Scotia.

“He made a profound difference to the people he had on his gun crew. He helped them along in their personal lives, as well as their military lives,” said Rob Nickerson, Taylor’s former commanding officer in Yarmouth in the 84th Independent Field Battery, a reserve unit. “He was a good friend to a lot of people. I know there are people today who are missing him very deeply.”

Friend remembers free spirit

Wayne Zwicker, one of Taylor's closest friends, shared that sentiment. Zwicker said Taylor left behind a note that said he believed in Canada’s Afghanistan mission. It also said he simply wanted to help the Afghan people.

“If you had to [describe him] in one word, it was free — free for the moment, free-spirited,” said Zwicker, who served with Taylor in the reserves. “He lived almost every day like it was a celebration and he wanted everyone else to do the same thing.”

The other soldiers killed were: Sgt. George Miok, 28, of Edmonton; Cpl. Zachery McCormack, 21, of Edmonton; and Pte. Garrett William Chidley, 21, of Cambridge, Ont.

The soldiers were killed along with reporter Michelle Lang of the Calgary Herald, and several soldiers and a Canadian civilian were wounded.

The bodies of the four soldiers and the journalist are expected to be returned to Canada on Sunday.