Cpl. James Arnal had suggested he would seek a third tour of duty with the Canadian Forces in Afghanistan.Cpl. James Arnal had suggested he would seek a third tour of duty with the Canadian Forces in Afghanistan. (Department of National Defence)

Relatives and friends of Cpl. James Hayward Arnal gathered at Canadian Forces Base Trenton, in Ontario, on Tuesday as the body of the slain soldier arrived back home.

The Saskatchewan-born, Winnipeg-raised soldier was killed while on a foot patrol near the city of Kandahar, becoming the 88th Canadian soldier to die in Afghanistan since the mission there began in 2002.

Another soldier was wounded in the same blast but was said to be in good condition and expected to return to duty.

Arnal, 25, was a member of the 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, stationed at Canadian Forces Base Shilo in Manitoba.

He was on his second tour of duty in Afghanistan and was due home in September, but he had plans to ask to go on a third tour in 2009.