Tributes poured in yesterday for Major Christian Wheddon, a Bermuda Regiment who died in a road crash in the UK on Sunday.Major Wheddon was training abroad and was en route to his next assignment when the accident occurred.Members of his family have asked for a period of grace before further details are released.Commanding Officer, Lt Col Brian Gonsalves released the news of the tragic death “with the heaviest of heart”.“Everyone who knows Major Wheddon knew he loved the military and everything it encompasses.“He was thrilled to have had the opportunity to be a part of the OPERATION Olympics and to see first hand many of the assets the British Army has to perform their duties.He described Major Wheddon as a “kind, honest and decent person”, adding: “I consider myself lucky to have had the good fortune to have known him and be able to call him a friend.”His brother, Major Julian Wheddon paid the following tribute:“Chris absolutely adored the military and was a consummate professional.He worked tirelessly to achieve the highest standards and always put a great deal of thought into what he was doing.He was fair to the soldiers and always had time for anyone who came to see him. “He perfectly blended a keen sense of military duty, keen work ethic, but always remained easy going. It was a fantastic privilege to be able to serve with my brother.”Governor of Bermuda, George Fergusson, said: “I am shocked and very much saddened by this awful news. I only met Chris Wheddon two or three times.“But he struck me immediately as a very nice man and I was looking forward to working with him in the future.“Besides being a committed member of the Bermuda Regiment, he had also been a valued and much liked member of the Government House team as ADC until last year.“My predecessor, Sir Richard Gozney, has contacted me to express his and Lady Gozney’s horror at this event and his high regard for Major Wheddon. The whole Government House team feels this loss.”National Security Minister Wayne Perinchief stated: “Like so many others in the community this tragedy is difficult for me to comprehend.“Major Wheddon was a ‘soldier’s soldier’ and a highly valued officer in the Bermuda Regiment. The Ministry was proud to support his latest efforts overseas and to the very end he made Bermuda proud through his service.“Our thoughts and prayers extend to his entire family and especially his young daughter.”A number of former Commanding Officers paid tribute. Retired Lt Col William White said: “Its an unfortunate statistic but more soldiers die through road traffic accidents than they do from military training.”He described Major Wheddon as a “very dedicated officer who was always the first to volunteer for hurricane relief efforts in the Cayman Islands, Turks and Caicos and Grenada”.“He was there for all three and he will be truly missed by not only the Bermuda Regiment but by the Bermuda Police Service as well.”Lt Col Edward Lamb was shocked. “Mere words seem completely inadequate to fully express the magnitude of such a tragedy as losing such a wonderful man as Chris so suddenly, and entirely too soon.“Chris and I spent many years together as officers in the Bermuda Regiment.“In fact, Chris was my Adjutant when I was the Commanding Officer, during which time he and I worked very closely together, on a daily basis,” said Mr Lamb.“I am fortunate to have had the pleasure of enjoying a close professional and personal relationship with Chris during our time together in the Bermuda Regiment, and thereafter.“My prayers and thoughts immediately turn to his family, especially his little angel Catherine, whose arrival on this earth a few years ago was a magnificent and joyous moment for him. Major Wheddon had so much life left in him, with so much more to offer this world.”Police Commissioner Michael DeSilva offered condolences on behalf of his senior colleagues, officers and staff.Major Wheddon was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2003 after joining the service in 1997, before leaving to join the Bermuda Regiment full time.“His duties in the Regiment kept Major Wheddon connected with the Bermuda Police Service and he made as many friends in our ranks after he left as he did while he served with us. “This is indeed a most heartbreaking and premature loss,” said Mr DeSilva.Chairman of the Defence Board and the Promotions Board, Major Wendell Hollis said: “Major Wheddon was a leading member of the command structure of the Bermuda Regiment with a very bright future. His tragic and untimely passing has come as a great shock to both Boards and leaves us with a deep feeling of sadness.”Retired Major GNHJ Jones said: “Chris and I have been friends since we were five-years-old, and served together for most of my former military career. He was a ‘B Company Officer’ through and through. I will miss his sage advice, his wicked sense of humour and most of all his friendship. It has been my honour to have served with him and to be able to call him my friend.”St George’s West MP, Kim Swan, elected under the banner of the United Bermuda Party also extended condolences.“Cindy and I are shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the tragic death. We came in contact with Major Wheddon on numerous occasions through official functions at Government House and around Bermuda, during his tenure as Aide de Camp (ADC) to Governor Sir Richard Gozney, where from our vantage point he was a great example of an ADC.“My wife fondly recalled how helpful Major Wheddon was to her in the preparations for the Project Action Queens Jubilee Fund-raiser where the Governor was the Honorary Patron,” said Mr Swan.The full statement issued by the Bermuda Regiment is posted on our website.