Pte Cutts was killed in action as he took part in a massive operation against insurgents when his battle group came under fire on Sunday afternoon.
The Royal Logistics Corps soldier was gunned down as British troops were carrying out a mission to re-supply an outpost in the notoriously dangerous Sangin Valley, in Helmand Province.
Yesterday military leaders revealed that it was the largest offensive yet mounted against the Taliban and involved 500 troops.
A Ministry of Defence spokesman has confirmed that Pte Cutts died just four weeks before he was due to return home after a six-month tour of duty.
His death — the 10th British soldier to be killed in Afghanistan in the last two months — has rocked the close-knit Blidworth community, which was today still struggling to come to terms with the news.
Said Rev Beryl Allsop, of St Mary's Church in the village, yesterday: "I cannot begin to imagine how the family feels at this time, but I will be offering whatever support I can. This is a close-knit village and I am sure everyone will do as much as they can for the family."
Pte Cutts' twin brother James is also serving in the Army and is believed to have flown home from his base in Cyprus after being told the devastating news.
The twins are well known in Blidworth and both attended Rainworth's Joseph Whitaker School before enlisting together at Mansfield's Bath Street recruitment centre.
Pte Cutts' devastated parents were too upset to talk this week, but his commanding officer paid a moving tribute to the young solder, describing him as 'brave and exemplary'.
Said Lt Col Neale Jouques: "He died doing what he was good at, protecting his comrades. It is with enormous regret that the regiment reports the loss of Pte Cutts. Our thoughts and prayers are with Andrew's family and girlfriend at this sad time."
And in a statement, a Ministry of Defence spokesman joined the tributes: "Andrew was immensely liked and respected by all those that knew him. He was a popular member of the troop who could always be relied upon to break the tension with a smile and a joke.
"He was a fit, highly skilled and diligent soldier with a quiet, unassuming manner and was preparing himself for parachute selection on his return to the UK."
His colleagues said Pte Cutts was a lifelong Stags fan — but said his real passion was his family, who he always talked about with great fondness.
Pte Cutts signed up for his Army career in July 2003 and following his basic training was posted as a driver into 13 Air Assault Support regiment, The Royal Logistics Corps, based in Colchester.
He was deployed to Afghanistan in March this year as part of the regiment's Force Protection troop — a group of highly trained soldiers charged with providing firepower and protection for convoys in Helmand Province.