A DECORATED officer who joined the British forces as a teenager has died suddenly after suffering a brain haemorrhage.

Warrant Officer Robert James Wainman, aged 45, had served with the 4th Battalion, Duke of Lancaster Regiment and was currently based at the Territorial Army Barracks in Preston.

The father-of-two joined the British Army at the age of 17.

His family last night told how proud they were of the soldier. His sister, Lisa Rushworth, said: “We are very proud of him. He was well respected and loved.”

She added: “Robert went from being a private to the rank of Warrant Officer. We have had letters from commanding officers saying how well thought of he was.”

Mr Wainman was born in Westhoughton, but his family — mum Freda, dad Roy, sisters Lisa and Jill — moved to Tonge Moor when he was 18 months old to start a retail business in Ainsworth Lane.

The youngest of three children, he enrolled at Tonge Moor Primary before moving to Bolton County Grammar School.

He joined the forces, which was the same year his father died at the age of 49.

He served two tours in Northern Ireland, one in the former Yugoslavia and in the Falklands as part of the peace-keeping tour following the war.

In recent years, Mr Wainman — a Bolton Wanderers fan who named his dog McGinlay — moved to Rossendale.

He was decorated three times for his service in Northern Ireland and Kosova, and also received the Queen’s Jubilee Medal.

Mrs Rushworth said: “His medals were his most precious possessions next to his children and his dog!

“He was so proud to serve in the British Army. He enjoyed the camaraderie, the places he went to and I also think the discipline.

“We are shocked by his death. This is a very close family and he had many nieces and nephews who are gutted by what happened.”

Mr Wainman is survived by his two children Selby, aged 18, and Sigourney, aged 17.

His funeral will take place on Tuesday at St Augustine’s Church, before a committal at Overdale West Chapel. The family are asking for donations in lieu of flowers to Help for Heroes Charity and The Royal British Legion.