A DIVER who died last week at the National Diving Activity Centre (NDAC) was a soldier who was taking part in a military scuba course, it has been revealed. 

Lance Corporal George Partridge, who was married and expecting his first child with wife Zoe, died on Monday, March 26, at the former quarry site in Tidenham, near Chepstow.  

An army spokesman confirmed this week that an investigation has been launched into the “tragic diving incident” at the NDAC, where another diver died of the bends only last October. 

Gloucestershire Police had previously said a man had died at the site, but provided no further details. 

L/Cpl Partridge’s family and 26 Engineer Regiment comrades have paid tribute to a popular and dedicated soldier from Illminster in Somerset who loved sport and passed out in 2010 as fittest recruit. 

An MoD spokesman said 27-year-old had recently achieved his “long-held ambition to start training as an army diver, successfully completed his junior commanders’ course, and had just been selected for promotion to corporal.”

The regiment posted: “It is with great sadness that we must announce the death of Lance Corporal George Partridge on Monday, March 26, during the final week of his Army Diver Course.

“This is a tragic loss to his wife, family, 26 Engineer Regiment and the Corps of Royal Engineers.”