Father pays tribute to Marine Sam Alexander
A father has paid tribute to his son who was killed in Afghanistan.
Marine Sam Alexander, 28, who grew up in Hampshire, was killed in a bomb blast in Helmand province on Friday.
His father, Stuart Alexander, told the BBC his son was a "pretty regular guy" who had no ambition to join the Royal Marines when he was a boy.
After being born in London, his family moved to Hamble. He went to school in Titchfield and had learned to sail while living in the county.
Mr Alexander said he had been contacted by people all over the world upon hearing the news of his son's death.
He said: "There were glowing references from his own mates - that guy was very well respected and there is no better esteem and no better praise than peer group praise."
Marine Alexander and his wife of two years, Claire, had a son in July last year.
His father described him as a "professional at work but very, very much the family man when he came home".
He said: "He was very complex - everything he did, he did at a hundred miles and hour and he loved, loved, loved his son."
Marine Alexander was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry two years ago after saving the life of a wounded colleague in Afghanistan.
He joined the Royal Marines in 2006 and had trained as a heavy weapons specialist.
He and Lt Ollie Augustin, 23, of Kent, both of 42 Commando, died after an explosion in the Nad Ali district of Helmand.