Lance Corporal David Kenneth Wilson died from a gunshot wound on 4 December, 2008, leaving behind a fiancée and their newborn baby.

LCpl Wilson, who was serving with 9 Regiment Army Air Corps in Iraq, was survived by fiancée Michelle Curry and 11-week-old daughter Poppy, as well as his parents and a brother.

The 27-year-old from Huddersfield was found injured at the Basra Contingency Operating Base and given medical treatment, but was declared dead at the scene a short time later. The Ministry of Defence said it would launch a full investigation into his death.

His family released a statement saying: "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."

Commanding Officer of Joint Helicopter Force (Iraq), Lieutenant Colonel Richard Green, said: "Lance Corporal Wilson 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. He was a committed family man and recently became a proud father.

"Lance Corporal Wilson was an excellent soldier who will be deeply missed. 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."

LCpl Wilson joined the army in 2003 and trained in Pirbright, Surrey. He then returned to his native Yorkshire with the 9 Regiment Army Air Corps based in Dishforth. He had previously served in Afghanistan and had only recently transferred to 659 Squadron in Iraq, operating as the Stores Corporal.