TRIBUTES have poured in following the death of ‘a truly, wonderful man’ and ‘village legend’, Ali Woodford.

The 26-year-old Lance Corporal, of 1st Battalion The Rifles, died during an Army parachute training expedition in Germany on September 29.

Ali, from North Petherton, collided with another soldier in the air mid jump, causing his second parachute to fail to open.

He leaves behind his three-year-old son Oscar-John, and his two sisters, Louisa, 27, and Hannah, 29.

“Ali was just a wonderful, wonderful person,” said his mum, Laura Woodford, who also lives in North Petherton.

“He was a cheeky, mischievous wind-up merchant, as well as a loving father and a laid back individual.

“He loved life in the army and excelled all the way through. Ali did an apprenticeship in carpentry and then was a scaffolder, but felt he wanted to do something better with his life and so went for the army.

“We have military in our blood because my father is an ex Royal Marine. He told Ali to go for what he wanted.

“He said he would either love it or hate it, and Ali loved it.”

Ali, who attended North Petherton Primary School followed by Robert Blake Science College, joined the army for his basic training in 2011, and went on to become a Lance Corporal.

“Ali was so successful in his army career,” said Laura, who moved with the family from Hackney in London to North Petherton when Ali was six.

“He achieved A* selection which is the highest grade and was also awarded a silver bugle at his funeral which usually you only get after serving for 22 years.

“I’ve been told on many occasions that my boy would go far.

“He even told his commanding officer how to do his job, but that’s just the cheeky chap in him.

“Ali was a well loved character and was also very private and never talked about the army. He was the only soldier in his company qualified to be a driving instructor and he had no ego about him.”

Laura discovered that when the parachuting training opportunity came up in Germany, Ali was first to volunteer.

“He would always put his hand up,” she added. “He was a top machine gunner and was due to go to Iraq again next year, but then he had the accident.

“He jumped and semi-collided with another soldier and his second parachute didn’t open.

“It was nobody’s fault- just a tragic, tragic accident.

“His son was three years old just two weeks before he died.

“He was separated from his wife Samantha but recently, we had a family gathering and it was just like old times.

“Oscar-John is very confused at the moment and when he asks where daddy is, we tell him he’s a star in the sky.

“He waves goodnight to him at bedtime.

“Ali also leaves behind his little niece who is only three months, but at least he got the chance to see her and be Uncle Ali.

“North Petherton was his home and he kept his roots here, with many life-long friends.

“He was a truly, wonderful man.”

Ali’s sister Louisa described him as ‘an amazing guy’.

“On behalf of myself and my sister Hannah, Ali was so much more than a brother to us,” she said. “We were inseparable growing up and when he was home all our plans consisted of each other."

“He had so much time for everyone and never had a frown on his face.

“He loved family barbecues, drinks at the local pub, festivals, DJing and going out raving with me.

“He was into fitness and we ran a lot together.

“He was a rock to me and very good friend."

“It wasn’t until he passed away that we knew just how high up in the army he was.

She added: “Ali and I were so similar and all his friends would say he was a village legend- he will be sadly missed.

“I have spoken to some of his closest friends- the eight who carried him into the crematorium- who said that he was most definitely the best friend any of them could have asked for.

“And he wasn’t just a brother to me, he was my best friend too.”