A soldier killed in a routine training exercise near a key garrison city is being remembered for being a "real character" as an investigation into the accident ramps up.

The victim and two other soldiers were taken to hospital after an M113 armoured personnel carrier rolled west of Townsville about 6.30pm on Wednesday.

The soldiers formed part of Townsville's 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, an armoured infantry battalion with a lineage that can be traced back to 1945.

Battalion leader Brigadier Ben McLennan said the soldier had served the brigade for his entire seven-year military career and was a key mentor figure to younger troops.

An investigation into the accident, compromising commonwealth and army officials along with police, is under way.

Brig McLennan would not specu

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