TRIBUTES were paid last night to a North-East soldier who died in Iraq weeks after becoming a father.

Lance Corporal David Wilson, from Spennymoor, County Durham, was described as a devoted family man whose life was made complete by the birth of his daughter, Poppy, 11 weeks ago.

He celebrated Poppy’s christening with his fiancee, Michelle Curry, in October, shortly before leaving for Iraq with 9 Regiment Army Air Corps.

The 27-year-old was looking forward to being reunited with his family when he returned home next month.

On Thursday, at 9am local time, colleagues at the Army’s base in Basra found L Cpl Wilson dying from a gunshot wound to the head.

The Ministry of Defence is launching an investigation into the tragedy. It said there was no evidence enemy forces or anyone else at the base had been involved.

A soldier for five years, L Cpl Wilson had also served in Afghanistan.

His parents, Ian and Doreen Wilson, twin brother Michael and Ms Curry led tributes to him last night.

The family said in a statement: “David was a loving and devoted family man who was the light of Michelle’s life.

“The recent gift of their beautiful baby daughter had made his world complete.

“David wore his uniform with pride and was fulfilling his lifelong ambition to be a soldier.

“The family are extremely proud of him and our world will be a much sadder place without him.

“Words cannot express how much he was dearly loved.”

Born in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, L Cpl Wilson grew up in the Witton Park area of County Durham and went to Escomb Primary School.

While a pupil at Staindrop secondary school, he was an Army Cadet Force instructor in Bishop Auckland.

He joined the Army in August 2003, completing his initial training at Pirbright, Surrey, before being posted to 9 Regiment Army Air Corps.

He first worked as a ground crewman in 672 Squadron, and was sent to Afghanistan at the end of 2006.

He later moved to 659 Squadron as the stores corporal, going to Iraq with the Joint Helicopter Force (Iraq).

Friends and colleagues described him as a generous, kind-hearted man who lifted the spirits of those who knew him.

His commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Richard Green, said: “He embodied exactly what is best about soldiers in the British Army.

“He was a jolly, friendly and selfless character, who was wholly respected by his peers and friends alike.

“We have all had the privilege to serve with him and will fondly remember him as a chatty, affable individual, who was always at the front of the queue to help others.”

His immediate boss, Staff Sergeant Tony Todd, said: “Dave was an outstanding soldier and a good friend.

“Nothing seemed to faze him and his sense of humour was nothing short of stage quality. He could always make others around him smile and his own smile was infectious.”

Defence Secretary John Hutton said: “His colleagues and commanders have described him as a man who was always professional, courteous and extremely loyal – a testament to his family and an example to all. He is a sad loss to the Army Air Corps and my thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues at this time.”

L Cpl Wilson’s death was the first British fatality in Iraq since March.

A total of 177 British service personnel have lost their lives in Iraq since the US-led invasion in March 2003.