EDMONTON -- The widow of an Edmonton-based soldier killed in Afghanistan said her husband was a courageous man and loving father who had expressed frustration over Canadians' lack of support for the mission.

"Before he left I told him he was a gallant warrior in the 21st century because whether it was leading a combat operation, doing house renos or changing a poopy diaper, he knew what to do," said Alanna Boyes at the Land Force Western Area Headquarters in Edmonton, reading from a prepared statement.

Her husband Lt. Justin Boyes, 26, of the 3rd Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, was only 10 days into his second tour of duty when an improvised explosive device went off while he was on foot patrol about 20 km southwest of Kandahar city on Wednesday.

Two other soldiers had been taken to hospital and listed in good condition. Boyes had been leading a platoon that was mentoring Afghan National Police officers at the time.

Boyes was originally from Saskatchewan but settled down in Edmonton with his wife and three-year-old son James, whom Alanna said is lucky to have had such a "tender, loving daddy."

With her brother Kurt Gibb and her sister Valerie Gibb at her side, Alanna told reporters that her husband loved his career with the army and always gave "100%" in every decision he made. She called him her confidante, her other half and the family's "pillar of stability" and promised she would try to remain strong for him.

Alanna said both she and her husband believed in the mission but he was often frustrated with the lack of support from Canadians.

"He said recently, 'We're not losing this war, but if we do, it's because we lost it at home first,' " she said, urging the public to "support our boys."

Boyes is the 132nd Canadian soldier to die in Afghanistan since the mission began in 2002.

CLARA.HO@SUNMEDIA.CA