The Fijian community in Warminster have started fundraising to take the body of Lance Corporal Ilia Lasaqa Tagidugu, who was found dead in his Warminster home last week, back to his native island.

The 36-year-old, who lived with his wife Reapi and their two-year-old son Alipate, was found dead at his home in Firbank Crescent on January 13.

Salisbury District Coroner’s Court has recorded the soldier died of natural causes.

Taggy, as he was known, was born in Fiji and joined the British Army in August 2002.

A memorial service has been held for the 36-year-old, who was a member of the Warminster Fijian Methodist Choir, by the Fijian Army community in Warminster.

They have now started a petition to support the family in obtaining welfare funds to assist in returning his body to Fiji.

It is understood arrangements are being made to fly the body to the Pacific island this week.

Lance Corporal Tagidugu has been described as a ‘robust and reliable soldier’ by colleagues and bosses in the army.

The rugby fanatic joined the Army’s premier rugby unit, 1st Battalion the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, a Yorkshire Infantry Battalion.

The soldier had an impressive track record with the Battalion’s union and league rugby teams, which won the Rugby League championship every year he was in the Army.

He initially joined Alma Company in Germany where he trained as a rifleman and later as a machine gunner before being deployed on his first operational tour to Basra, Iraq, in late 2004.

On his return from Iraq he was chosen to move to a more senior position in the Fire Support Company, joining the Battalion’s Anti-Tank specialists.

He was then selected to attend a course, earning himself promotion to Lance Corporal.

He was most recently deployed to work alongside 2nd Battalion The Rifles in Sangin, Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

An Army spokesman said: “Taggy will most fondly be remembered within the Battalion for his rugby playing exploits, where his quiet and unassuming character belied a ferociously competitive team player.

“A stalwart of the Battalion rugby set-up, he has represented the Battalion’s first XV and the Sevens side as well as the undefeated Rugby League side, winning the Rugby League championship every year he was in the Army, other than while deployed in Iraq.

“A fantastic all-round player, he was able to take the field in any position and his actions on the pitch often spoke louder than he did. He recently returned from Dubai, where he had led the Battalion Sevens team to a highly commendable quarter-final appearance in the Dubai International Seven’s competition.

“He was a fantastic ambassador for the Regiment and the British Army.

“His loss will be absorbed by the soldiers he led so well on operations and is painfully felt by the Battalion, but is only a fraction of the loss that will be felt by his family and friends. He will live forever in our memories.”