Tributes have been paid to a Hampshire soldier who died from injuries suffered in an explosion in Afghanistan.

Sapper Connor Ray died after being injured by a Taliban bomb on the eve of his 21st birthday.

Tomorrow family, friends and colleagues they will bow their heads to mourn his loss at his funeral.

Just four years ago Sapper Ray lost his 39- year-old mother Tina Fitzgerald, who died from bowel cancer just before his passing out parade in 2008.

His aunt Eileen last night said: “In heaven with his mum now, we will always remember his love of life his sense of humour and cherish the short time he had to touch our lives.”

The soldier – a member of Britain’s elite bomb-hunting 33 Engineer Regiment (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) Royal Engineers – ventured into an abandoned Taliban HQ in Helmand Province in a bid to clear it of bombs when a device exploded.

He was given emergency medical care for his wounds at the scene in Nad ’Ali and was rushed to the British hospital at Camp Bastion for further treatment.

Sapper Ray, who came from Bishopstoke, was then airlifted home to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham where he died a week later from his injuries.

Hundreds are expected to gather tomorrow for Sapper Ray’s funeral with full military honours in Newport, Wales, where his family moved in 2002.

Next Thursday there will be another church service at St Mary’s in Bishopstoke followed by a wake at Bishopstoke Working Men’s Club.

The former Stoke Park Junior School pupil leaves his girlfriend Hollie, brother Vinnie, 21, sisters Hollie, 17, and Bonnie, 16, aunt Eileen, stepfather Steve Reeves and grandparents Leo, Linda, Keith and Sue.

His aunt Eileen last night added: “Connor was such a kind-hearted, good natured and amusing guy with a curious taste for 80s power ballads; he described himself as a warrior even though he was scared of spiders.

“Always in good spirits and often mischievous, he had a cheeky grin and an infectious giggle.

“This heartbreaking loss will leave a huge void in our lives.”

Military officers said Sapper Ray saved “many” British and Afghan lives by unearthing deadly improvised explosive devices.

His commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Simon Bell, said: “The tragic loss of Sapper Ray has shaken both the EOD and Search Task Force and the regiment deeply.”

He praised Sapper Ray’s “infectious wit and limitless optimism”.

Sapper Ray’s devastated family have asked that, instead of flowers at his funeral, donations be made to the Connor Ray Appeal to raise money for Help for Heroes.

To donate go to bmycharity.com/ConnorRay