THE father of soldier Jack Mitchell has paid tribute to his son, who died following an incident in the Warehouse nightclub in Stroud on Saturday night.

Jack, 24, joined the army in 2014 and was a gunner in the 32 Regiment Royal Artillery stationed at Larkhill Army Camp in Salisbury.

He had recently been on a tour in Kenya and had been staying at home while on leave.

His father Julian Mitchell, chairman of Painswick RFC for whom his son played, said: "Jack wasn't just a soldier, he was a humanitarian.

"He was a funny, witty lad who he knew right from wrong. That's why he joined the Army.

"He would give you the shirt off his back to help you. I had never seen him be aggressive.

"If lads were getting a bit lairy in a club he would talk them down and stop it. It appears now he has suffered from the reverse. It is just such a waste.

"He was my best friend as well as my son."

Julian revealed that his son had gone to Warehouse during a night out with friends after an afternoon watching rugby with his family.

He returned home but later received a call from a police officer.

"They sent a car to pick me up and I went into the club, said Mr Mitchell.

"He was laid there being worked on by a team of paramedics. I was there at the end."

Painswick RFC issued the following statement this morning: “It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we have to announce that one of our players, the much loved Jack Mitchell, tragically passed away early Sunday morning.

“Jack was a keen rugby player and supporter, and has been involved with the club for many years and was a friend to all that met him.

“A serving soldier in the Army, Jack’s smile and humour will always be fondly remembered around the club. The Painswick Rugby family have lost a brother.

“All players and members of Painswick RFC would like to express their sincerest condolences to his parents Julian and Kate, his sisters Jasmine and Kim, and his brother Steve.

“We ask that the family’s privacy be respected in such tragic circumstances.”