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British soldier dies during diver training course British soldier dies during diver training course
(about 7 hours later)
A British soldier died in a diving incident in the final week of a diver training course, the army has announced. A British soldier, who was expecting his first child with his wife, has died in a “tragic diving incident”, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed.
L/Cpl George Partridge, of the 26 Engineer Regiment, died at the National Diving and Activity Centre in Chepstow on 26 March. L/Cpl George Partridge, who was 27, died on 26 March at the National Dive Activity Centre in Chepstow.
An army spokesman said: “It is with great sadness that we must confirm that L/Cpl George Partridge died in a tragic diving incident. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this extremely difficult time.” L/Cpl Partridge, who joined the army in 2010, served in Afghanistan in 2012 and was based with the 26 Engineer Regiment in Perham Down, Wiltshire.
The spokesman said the incident was being investigated and that it would be inappropriate to comment further. His commanding officer, Lt Col Simon Doyle, said he was an exemplary soldier: ““Humble but hugely capable, he was always ready to lend a helping hand where it was needed the most,” he said.
The 26 Engineer Regiment, based in Tidworth near Salisbury Plain, said on Facebook that Partridge died “during the final week of his army diver course”. “Our clearest memories of him will always be on the rugby pitch and in the gymnasium, where he was the epitome of a Royal Engineer junior non-commissioned officer, always pushing himself and his soldiers to the next level, and always with a smile on his face.
“This is a tragic loss to his wife, family, 26 Engineer Regiment and the Corps of Royal Engineers,” the post added. “Our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues and we ask you respect their privacy in these difficult times.” “He will be sorely missed and our thoughts are with his wife and family at this sad time.”
The MoD said Partridge had recently achieved a long-held ambition to commence training as an army diver.
A post on the Facebook page of 26 Engineer Regiment said that L/Cpl Partridge had died “during the final week of his army diver course”.
A spokesman for the army said it was investigating the incident.
The MoD said L/Cpl Partridge leaves behind his wife Zoe, who is expecting their first child, parents Alyson and Stephen and siblings Lucy and Ben.
The armed forces minister, Mark Lancaster, said: “It is clear from the testaments of his colleagues that he had a bright future in the army and was held in the highest regard.”
Cl Anthony Matthews said: “He was a family-orientated man who was looking forward to starting his family with his wife Zoe. He was both a physically and mentally fit person who relished any challenge thrown in his direction.”
L/Cpl Partridge’s first years in the army were spent at 21 Engineer Regiment in Ripon, North Yorkshire, before moving to 26 Engineer Regiment after promotion, the MoD said.
He served as a motor transport lance corporal and was responsible for allocating drivers to tasks on daily driving details, as well as scheduling maintenance and repairs for the regiment’s large fleet of wheeled vehicles.
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