The widow of Sergeant Steven Roberts - the first British serviceman to die in combat in Iraq - has paid tribute to her "unique" husband.

Samantha Roberts, of Shipley, described her 33-year-old husband as an "outgoing and sociable" man who was loved by all who met him.

She said: "Steve's whole future lay within the Army. It was his life and he was very proud of his job. He was adamant that he was doing the right thing and said he was doing it for the people back home and the Iraqi people."

"I have been inundated by phone calls from people who knew him who have been shocked and sorry to hear the news. We loved each other deeply - he is totally irreplaceable."

Sgt Roberts was shot during a riot by civilians near Al Zubayr, south west of Basra. He died on Monday.

Speaking before the war started, Mrs Roberts said both she and her husband had been reconciled to the fact that war was the only thing left to do in the face of the threat posed by Saddam Hussein.

"I think it's the only thing to do - I think that's all that's left now," Mrs Roberts told Radio Five Live during a discussion on March 12, a week after her husband left for the Gulf.

Appearing on Nicky Campbell's Breakfast show, Mrs Roberts said she believed war was justified because it was not about links between Saddam Hussein's regime and al Qaida but about weapons and human rights abuses.

She denied that her support for the war was just an act of faith because of her husband's involvement.

"If there wasn't a war, he would be back home - and that is really what I want to believe - I want to believe he would be back home.

"If Saddam Hussein really wanted his people to be OK, he would have given up his weapons of mass destruction 12 years ago when UN sanctions were first put upon him. But he hasn't.

"Saddam is a major threat to us. For example, four years ago he had 200 tonnes of chemicals and nerve agents which now can't be accounted for - or has he already given it to the terrorists?"

She added that she had not been in constant contact with her husband and that she was "just waiting for the next phone call".

Sgt Roberts was killed 11 days after the broadcast.

In a separate statement, Sgt Roberts' mother, Marion Chapman, said: "Steve loved Cornwall - this was where he was born and brought up. He always took a Cornish flag with him everywhere.

"He was the best son anyone could have. He made us laugh - he was the most perfect son ever. All his family and friends will really miss him."

The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Richard Wightman, said he was "deeply saddened" to hear of the death of Sergeant Roberts.

"On behalf of the people of the Bradford district I would like to send my condolences to his family and friends," he said.

"Our thoughts are with them are this painful and difficult time."

Sgt Roberts' family was today sent a message of support from a mum whose son is serving with the same regiment.

Pauline Little, whose 22-year-old son David is also with the 2nd Royal Tank regiment, said: "In your grief you must be very, very proud."

Mrs Little contacted the Telegraph & Argus from her home in the Midlands, after Sgt Roberts' death became known.

She said: "I just want his family to know we are all thinking of you. I feel as though I am grieving too.

" When I say all of us I mean mums, wives, siblings.

"I can't imagine the pain the family are going through but I just want them to know we are sharing their grief.

" Nothing can prepare you for this. It is terrible when you see the regiment on the news because someone has died.

"I watch the news on TV but then I have to turn it off. I am drawn to it, but there are times I cannot bear to watch it."

She said several hours passed between news of the death and the name being issued. She said it left her numb.

"His family must be utterly distraught. They can be trained and trained but there is no taking into account the odd stray bullet.

"But above all they must be very, very proud of what he did for his country. "

Mrs Little has not heard from her son since the conflict started.

She says she has mixed views about the war.

" I say yes in principle, but no to the way it came about, without the support of the UN."