A YOUNG soldier at Buckley Barracks died suddenly after a night out drinking in Chippenham.

Andrew Murgatroyd, 21, a private based with 9 Regiment the Royal Logistics Corp, died on Valentine’s Day at the barracks at Hullavington.

He is believed to have been out for a farewell do with his friends after being posted away with the army. It is understood he and his mates were drinking in pubs in Chippenham.

Mr Murgatroyd was taken ill on arriving back at the barracks late on Thursday night. His heart stopped and an ambulance was called out at 11.15pm.

Someone on the scene was already trying to save him by doing cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

A rapid response paramedic took over and was backed up by the ambulance crew and a Swift Medics volunteer and Wiltshire Air Ambulance.

The paramedics tried to resuscitate him but determined just before midnight he could not be saved.

Mr Murgatroyd is from Bradford in West Yorkshire and leaves his wife Shawni.

The role of 9 Regiment is to oversee the supply chain on operations.

Lieutenant Colonel Suzi E Donoghue, the Commanding Officer of 9 Theatre Logistic Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps, paid tribute to the private.

She said: “Private Andrew Murgatroyd was a vibrant character within the Regiment and he will leave a huge hole in the lives of the colleagues and very many friends that he has left behind. 

“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, particularly his beloved wife Shawni to whom we convey our deepest and most sincere sympathies.”

Police said there were no suspicious circumstances and they were compiling a report for the coroner.