Bexhill soldier died in Camp Bastion blaze

Pte Wood, a stevedore with the 17 Port and Maritime Regiment, Royal Logistics Corps, was one of two soldiers killed at Camp Bastion, near Lashkar Gar in Helmand province, after a blaze broke out in their workplace.

The other victim was Private Dean Hutchinson, 23, from Tyneside. The Ministry of Defence has launched an investigation into the St Valentine’s Day fire, which was not, however, thought to be due to enemy action.

Pte Wood’s parents are now taking comfort from the fact that their son’s memory will live on in the person of his own son, Noah, born to his partner, Becky Day, from Gillingham, Kent, just three months ago.

In a statement, Becky and Pte Wood’s parents said: “Rob was an adored and adoring son, partner and father to his baby son. We are so immensely proud of him and he will live in our hearts forever.”

Mrs Wood said that Robert and Noah had spent a fortnight together before his deployment to Afghanistan from barracks at Marchwood in Hampshire, leaving behind treasured video clips of their brief time together.

She added: “We are only just beginning to come to terms with what has happened, but it is such a comfort to us to have Noah.”

Pte Wood’s commanding officer, Major Steve Cornell, said: “He was a strong character with a sense of humour that shone through in the toughest of times.

“He was excellent at his trade and made a positive impact, whatever he turned his hand to.”

A fan of Brighton and Hove Albion, Pte Wood had looked forward to getting Noah an Albion shirt on his return. The club has since pledged to donate Noah his first football kit as a tribute to Pte Wood.

Britain has lost 357 service personnel in Afghanistan since 2001.

PICTURED: Pte Robert Wood