HE WAS the 18-year-old ‘promising’ Hampshire soldier who had just started his dream job.

But tributes are now being paid to Jack Prebble after he died in a motorbike crash.

Mr Prebble, who joined the army last June, died in a collision in Bishop’s Waltham on Saturday.

Last night hundreds of people paid tribute to the “caring, cheeky young lad”.

Eastleigh Rugby Club will hold a minute’s silence in his memory on September 9, when they will kick off the season at their Bishopstoke Road ground.

The Durley teenager was a member of the corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.

His heartbroken family said in a statement:“We are so proud of Jack for what he has achieved in his life, he could light up a room with his smile.

“We cannot find words to describe how we feel as a family, we are just completely heartbroken. Jack we love you, we are proud of you and every day we will miss you.”

An Army spokesman said: “It was with great sadness we learnt of the death of this promising young soldier. Our thoughts remain with his family and friends.”

Jack attended Durley CE Primary School and Wyvern College.

Alan Newton, headteacher at Wyvern College, described him as a “friendly, warm, kind, gentle and thoughtful young man”.

He added: “ We are shocked and saddened as a school.

“All young life is precious to us, but the loss of such a delightful young man so early in his adult life is particularly poignant and distressing.”

Jack also played as a winger for Eastleigh Rugby Club for several years.

Coach Mark Smith said: “I just want everybody to know what a nice lad he was. He was a really enthusiastic player and an integral part of the team.

“He was always there at training, willing to learn, take on new ideas and he was a good friend to a lot of people in the team he played for. He got on really well with the coaches and was always willing to help us. He will be missed at the rugby club.”

Jack used to attend the weekly meetings of the Southampton Bike Night held at Bargate every Thursday. Dozens of members have now paid tribute to him on the Southampton Bike Night Facebook page.

Mark Holman, group founder, said: “It’s a huge loss. I would hope that we can speak to the family and hopefully pay respect at his funeral by riding motorbikes, if that’s what the family want.”

As previously reported by the Daily Echo, the collision occurred on the B3035 at around 8.45pm.

A 15-year-old girl, who was riding as passenger, was also injured and taken to Southampton General Hospital with serious but non life-threatening injuries.

It is understood the motorcycle collided with a telegraph pole.

Call police on 101, quoting 44170340998.