Tributes have been paid to Corporal Terry Stevenson - who died when his motorbike was in a crash with a car.

The 35-year-old loyal soldier, loving husband and popular colleague, was based at the 36 Royal Engineers Regiment in Maidstone.

He was returning home to St Leonards-on-Sea when the accident happened on the Cranbrook Road, in Hawkhurst, on Monday, February 10.

His widow Gemma Stevenson said: “We are completely devastated at the sudden and tragic loss of a devoted husband, father and son.

“Terry was a dedicated and professional soldier of whom we were so proud.

"He was the kind of man that others looked up to, and the support of his mates at this sad and difficult time has been much valued.

"Terry will be missed every day but will be in our thoughts always.”

Cpl Stevenson was in the Army for 13 years, both in the UK and Germany, and served with distinction in Iraq and Afghanistan.

He belonged to the 50 Headquarters and Support Squadron and Major M. A. Fell, officer commanding the unit, said he was instrumental in delivering training and developing young sappers for an upcoming training exercise in Jordan.

Major Fell added: “I knew him from an operational tour to Iraq in 2007 and when he came to 50 Squadron he was a privilege to command and work with again.

“During the many times that we spoke his family was always first and foremost in his mind and he was hugely committed to them. He will be sorely missed.”

"He was the kind of man that others looked up to, and the support of his mates at this sad and difficult time has been much valued" - Gemma Stevenson

Cpl Stevenson got his bike licence a year ago but had dreamed of owning a Honda Deauville since his early 20s.

He became an active member of the online Deauville Owners UK forum and organised a behind-the-scenes visit to the Royal Engineers Museum, in Chatham, for 16 riders last October.

Tony Harris, a forum member from Ashford, said: “The news came as a huge shock to lots of people.

“It was always very clear that he was proud to be a Royal Engineer but on top of that he would often go out of his way to provide members with helpful advice and share his sense of humour.

“A lot of people have paid their respects to him, he was a good man.”

Stories you might have missed

Teen injured after being hit by car

Security guard in dramatic mud rescue

Witness appeal after serious crash on M2

Sacked PC jailed after hammer attack