A SOLDIER has died after a “tragic” diving accident at the National Dive Activity Centre, Chepstow last week.

Lance Corporal George Partridgee, from Ilminster, Somerset, was based with the 26 Engineer Regiment at Swinton Barracks in Wiltshire.

The 27-year-old joined the Army in 2010, and had previously served in Afghanistan in 2012.

In a statement released yesterday (3rd April) the Ministry of Defence said LCpl Partridge had recently achieved a long-held ambition to commence training as an Army diver, successfully completed his Junior Commanders Course, and had just been selected for promotion to Corporal.

Officers from Gloucestershire Constabulary were called to the National Diving Centre shortly before 11.30am on Monday 26th March, following reports that LCpl Partridge had taken ill. He died later at the scene.

Police are working with the Health and Safety Executive to investigate the incident but are currently treating the death as unexplained.

His Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Simon Doyle described LCpl Partridge as “quietly determined, hard-working and immensely popular”.

“Humble but hugely capable, he was always ready to lend a helping hand where it was needed the most and at some point everyone in the Regiment has had cause to be grateful for his ability to find you a car when the vehicle park seemed empty,” he added. “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. He will be sorely missed, and our thoughts are with his wife and family at this sad time.”

LCpl Partridge joined the Army in June 2010 at the age of 19, and served in Canada after being promoted to 26 Engineer Regiment.

He and his wife Zoe were also expecting their first child.

Armed Forces Minister Mark Lancaster said: “It’s clear from the testaments of his colleagues that he had a bright future in the Army and was held in the highest regard. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this extremely difficult time.”

His Troop Commander, Lt David Thornett added: “Lance Corporal George Partridge was a gift to me as a Troop Commander. He had everything that I could have expected of a Junior Non Commissioned Officer. He could always be relied upon to carry out a task to the best of his ability and to get the best out the individuals who were working for him. Having already been selected to promote to Corporal, I have no doubt he would have climbed through the ranks with ease and had a very successful Army career. On top of this he was genuinely a good bloke who knew how to make people laugh, he will be sorely missed.”