A FAMILY is today in mourning after a 49-year-old civilian worker was killed in a suicide bomb blast in Iraq.

John Barker, 49, was killed in a massive blast as he alerted colleagues to a car bomber at a check point near Baghdad airport.

The former Royal Marine died a hero, saving the lives of numerous others according to his employers Global Risk Strategies.

But the tragedy has devastated his wife Kim and their son Charles, who was meant to celebrate his 14th birthday yesterday.

Mrs Barker, 47, said: "Charles has been getting out photos of his dad and he has just been crying and crying.

"He can't believe his dad is gone. When he came in from school it broke my heart knowing there were only minutes before his heart would be broken for the first time.

"I got a photo out and said 'You know how much this man loves you don't you?'

"He thought I was going to tell him that his dad had come home for his birthday. But instead I had to tell him that his dad had gone."

Mr Barker died instantly when the bomb exploded last Wednesday.

He had become suspicious about a passenger in a taxi and signalled to his colleagues about potential danger. It's thought the terrorist realised he had been spotted and detonated the device.

Mrs Barker added: "John was a big, kind, generous man and he will leave the hugest, gaping hole in our lives.

"He went to Iraq in August because he missed being at the forefront of things - he had so enjoyed being in the Marines for eight years.

"I was worried but couldn't find it in my heart to ask him not to go. He reassured us that he would be safer based near the airport where the diplomats were than on the streets.

"He insisted 'You will not get a knock on the door - I will be fine out there.'

"However, we all know that anyone going out there is at some risk."

Mrs Barker said her husband - a former police constable with Kent police - was killed instantly in the blast.

"We have been told that it was a massive explosion and John's death was completely instantaneous," she said.

"His company have said the bomb was designed for a much bigger impact.

"It sounds like it was destined for a much more substantial target but because John spotted them that target was never reached."

One of Mr Barker's Iraqi colleagues who was training in security work was also killed in the attack.

Speaking at the family home in Ventnor on the Isle of Wight, Mrs Barker said she had received scores of touching tributes to her husband.

She said: "John was such a loving, caring man who hated injustice and cruelty. He always looked after me and my son and protected us as if he was putting us in bubble wrap.

"He always found a way around everything so I am now feeling 'Why hasn't he found a way around this?' "

Mrs Barker, who had been married to her husband for 21 years, said the family had last been together when they spent a week in Dubai during Charles's half-term break a week ago.

She added: "We had the most idyllic holiday we had ever had. At least we have such wonderful memories.

"I have two answer phone messages from him still on the machine and they will stay there for ever."