Antony Mason GAZETTE & HERALD: TRIBUTES have been paid to soldier Antony Mason who was killed when his car swerved on a bend and hit a brick wall near Corsham in the early hours of Sunday.

Signaller Mason, 21, who was engaged to be married, was from Colchester in Essex and had been in the Army for three years. He was stationed in Corsham with Lima Troop, 10 Signals Regiment.

Signaller Mason's car was discovered on its roof at around 3.30am on Sunday by a passing motorist, about 200 metres from Box Fiveways junction. It is believed he may have swerved to avoid a deer, whose carcass was found nearby.

The impact of the crash had crushed the silver Focus he was driving and debris from the vehicle still litters the verge on which the car came to rest.

Touching floral tributes have been left at the site of the accident, among them a large floral wreath from his Army colleagues with three message cards. The first card reads: "Forever Lima Troop, Thank you for everything. You are greatly missed from all Lima Troop and all the lives you touched."

Another says: "In loving memory of Antony Robert Mason, from his many friends in and around Corsham."

A third from 10th Signal Regiment HQ, 2 Signals Brigade and Joint Support Unit Corsham, adds: "As a soldier, colleague and as a friend, you are sadly missed."

Lieutenant Commander Susie Thomson, the spokesperson for Joint Services, Corsham, paid tribute to the young soldier who she described as 'the life and soul of the party'.

"Signaller Mason of 10 Signal Regiment experienced and achieved a very great deal in his short life," she said.

"He travelled extensively with Lima Troop, working in the Falkland Islands and Brunei; he also made a significant contribution supporting our operations in Bosnia and Kosovo.

"At all times Antony displayed great professionalism and was recently commended for his excellent work.

"Antony was a determined, bright and energetic young man who enjoyed life to the full."