A WARMINSTER soldier has been killed while serving in Iraq just months before he was set to marry his fiance.

Rifleman Vincent Windsor, 23, of the Royal Green Jackets based in Warminster, was killed in a vehicle accident in eastern Iraq on January 21.

Tributes have poured in for the soldier who has been described as 'enormously popular and likeable' by his colleagues.

Private Windsor died during his second tour of duty in Iraq after serving during the conflict in March and April last year as an attachment with the 1st Battalion The Light Infantry.

He spent much of 2002 in Warminster and was planning to marry fiance Mona Kessel in Germany in May this year.

The Ministry of Defence has not revealed details of the crash and a second unnamed soldier is undergoing treatment but the injuries are not considered life threatening.

Cpt Mark Wilson, adjutant to the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Green Jackets, said: "Vincent was an excellent rifleman in that he had a superb attitude but he was also known for having a great sense of humour and was very popular.

"He became engaged in 2002 to his fiance and asked for an attachment to a battalion in Germany to be closer to her.

"We agreed and he went to Paderborn in Germany last year and they were planning to arrange the marriage when he took a break from active service in May.

"He leaves behind a lot of good friends in Warminster."

Private Windsor's body was flown back to RAF Brize Norton on Wednesday morning where soldiers held a short ceremony.

He leaves behind two brothers and a mother living in Cowley, Oxfordshire.

Lt Col Harry Emck, commanding officer of the 2nd Battalion The Royal Green Jackets, said: "Vincent was very down to earth, and with a great sense of humour.

"He will be sadly missed by all his colleagues and comrades."

The soldier joined A Company of the Royal Green Jackets in 1999 and was attached to the 1st Battalion Light Infantry to be near his fiance last year.

The accident happened in Al Amarah, the stronghold of the notorious Chemical Ali.

Rifleman Windsor is the 57th British soldier to die in Iraq.