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'The Army was my husband's life'

The soldier

Cole Moreton
Sunday 13 April 2003 00:00 BST
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He will never get the chance to talk about what the war was like for him, in his own words, because he was killed on March 25. Corporal Allbutt's Challenger tank was taking part in a night battle with Iraqi forces near the city of Basra when it was hit by shots from another British tank. Corporal Allbutt, 35, and his 19-year-old colleague Trooper David Clarke both died. The Prime Minister has promised the "fullest possible" inquiry into how it happened.

"The Army was Steve's life," said his wife Debi, who lives in Stoke-on-Trent. "He had wanted to join since he was a little boy." He joined at the age of 22 and within two years was sent to serve in the first Gulf War. He later went to Bosnia on three separate tours of duty.

"Although he was a quiet and reserved man he had a brilliant sense of humour and was a loyal and devoted friend," said Mrs Allbutt. "We loved each other deeply. He was also very romantic. If we were going out anywhere he would often buy me flowers. I would sometimes find them in different rooms in the house. Just before he left for the Gulf he planted some daffodil bulbs in our garden as a surprise, so they would come up while he was away."

Floral tributes were left on the doorstep of the family home in Sneyd Green by friends and well-wishers after the Ministry of Defence announced his death – but they were stolen soon afterwards. "I am just absolutely disgusted that someone could do this," said Mrs Allbutt, 37. "Haven't we already got enough to cope with? I hadn't even had a chance to read the cards that were on the flowers, so I have absolutely no idea who they were from." Steve's best friend had left a four-pack of beer as his own tribute "with a personal message, which had meant so much to me and to him", but that was also stolen. A couple appeared at Stoke Magistrates Court last Tuesday charged with the theft, but the case was adjourned.

Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Fattorini, commanding officer of the Queen's Royal Lancers, described Corporal Allbutt as "an immensely dedicated" soldier who displayed "a can-do attitude and a reassuringly dry sense of humour".

He was also a passionate supporter of Stoke City FC. Last Saturday Debi and their two sons Connor, 8, and Joshua, 14, were invited to the club's home ground for the match with Gillingham.

Before kick-off, the fans and players from both sides paid tribute to the fallen soldier with a minute's silence. It was perfectly observed. The Stoke City Mad website described it as "a touching tribute to show that someone's life really does matter".

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