CORPORAL Scott Smith, killed in action in Afghanistan in October, was farewelled at a moving funeral in South Australia's Barossa Valley on November 8.

The Commanding Officer of the Special Operations Engineer Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Scott Corrigan, paid homage to the fallen soldier.

"This young man was made of something special; he made a huge impression on everyone in the unit from the outset," Lieutenant Colonel Corrigan said.

"Our best soldiers always give the bit extra; they are selfless and put themselves in harm's way to protect others. Scott was one of the very best."

Corporal Smith, from the Special Operations Engineer Regiment based at Holsworthy Barracks in Sydney, was killed by an IED on October 21 during a mission in northern Helmand province.

The Chief of Joint Operations, Lieutenant General Ash Power, said Corporal Smith was part of a small team tasked with clearing a suspected insurgent compound when the incident occurred.

"The compound was quickly assessed to be an IED factory and the commander on the ground made the decision to extract his personnel due to the high risk the area posed," Lieutenant General Power said.

"During the withdrawal from the compound an improvised explosive device detonated, killing Corporal Smith instantly."

Lieutenant General Power said the buildings within the compound were subsequently destroyed by precision ground fire from supporting International Security Assistance Force units.

Corporal Smith was born in the Barossa Valley in 1988. He joined the Army in February 2006 and, after initial employment training, was posted to the 1st Combat Engineer Regiment in Darwin. In 2008, Corporal Smith was posted to the then-Incident Response Regiment as a search operator.

He was regarded as an exceptional soldier who possessed all the qualities and charisma of a great junior leader.

He was described by his unit as a genuine, honest and dedicated member who was "probably one of the best junior NCOs" the unit had seen.

His family released a statement after his death describing him as "the loveable character that held the family together".

Corporal Smith is survived by his partner Liv, his parents Katrina Paterson and Murray Smith, and sister Roxanne.