The devastated family of a 25-year-old Telford soldier who died in a car crash in Wales today said he was a hero who had saved two lives while serving in Afghanistan.

Lance Corporal Christopher Beckett, of Larch Wood, Randlay, was driving two soldier friends to Haverfordwest, West Wales, on Valentine’s Day when the accident happened at the weekend.

Parents Tony and Margaret Beckett today told how they learned yesterday their beloved son had saved two lives during active service.

Mr Beckett added: “The easiest way to describe Chris was that he loved life and that he lived it to the full.”

Mrs Beckett added: “He loved being with the family.”

Christopher was a former pupil at the Lord Silkin School. 

Police said the Skoda Fabia the soldiers were in left the road and came to rest behind a wall, where it lay undiscovered for more than 12 hours. 

Lance Corporal Beckett, Corporal Daniel Ginty, 25, and 24-year-old Corporal James Luton were discovered in the village of Roch, Pembrokeshire, at 8am on Sunday.

It is thought the crash happened between 7pm and 8pm the previous night, four miles from Cawdor Barracks, Brawdy, where they were based with the 14th Signal Regiment (Electronic Warfare). 

Lieutenant Colonel Tim Carmichael also today paid tribute to the young soldier.

He said: “Corporal Chris Beckett joined us in April 2005. He recently returned to the Brawdy in September having spent seven months fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan, where he served the 14th signal regiment with distinction.”