Tributes have poured in for two brothers who died within a year of each other in what friends have described as unbelievable odds.

Rob Butler, a masters student at the University of Kent, died unexpectedly from unknown causes on Sunday, November 2.

A popular barman in Canterbury’s Jolly Sailor pub, he was found dead in bed by his girlfriend. He would have been 28 today.

In a cruel twist of fate, Rob’s brother Dave, just a few years older than Rob and a serving soldier, died the same time last year following a short battle with cancer.

“So this happening at this time is just tragic. The odds are unbelievable. We’re struggling to get our heads around it all” - Henry Durban-Haskins

As parents Anne and Mel Butler struggle to come to terms with the loss of both their children, Rob’s best friend has spoken of his devastation.

Henry Durban-Haskins knew both brothers and would regularly take holidays with Rob.

Mr Durban-Haskins, 28, said: “There were no signs, no warnings. Rob was unbelievably fit – he was well-known for it.

“And then there’s the timing – almost a year on from Dave passing away – as the family were thinking about that. They had had an enormous amount to cope with over the last year.

“So this happening at this time is just tragic. The odds are unbelievable. We’re struggling to get our heads around it all.”

Rob, who was studying physics at post-graduate level, died at his girlfriend’s flat in Wincheap.

The tragedy came just three weeks before the family, from Sittingbourne, were due to mark the anniversary of Dave’s death.

Dave died on November 24 last year. He was married and had been serving with the Royal Signals for 14 years, serving two tours in Afghanistan.

“Rob coped as best as he could when Dave died,” said Mr Durban-Haskins. “They were very close and he found it very tough.”

Mr Durban-Haskins paid tribute to Rob who, he said, had been a pillar of support for his parents over the last year.

He said: “Rob wanted to be strong for his parents, of course. I know these things are said about people a lot but in Rob’s case they were true – he was a gifted guy. He was intelligent, he was cerebral, academic. But he was also very sociable.”

“Rob will be dearly missed by me and by so many people. I’m just thankful for all the great memories” - Henry Durban-Haskins

Several years ago Rob had won an apprenticeship with BAE Systems, the research and engineering giant.

“He decided on studying a degree in physics – something he could use in his career,” said Mr Durban-Haskins.

“He worked hard and was a gifted student. The degree led on to a masters degree. He was specialising in optical lenses.

“His father had been an engineer, so it maybe ran in the family.”

The pair met when they were studying at Canterbury College 11 years ago, and quickly became firm friends.

In recent years they had regularly holidayed together.

In June this year the two friends realised a long-held ambition to travel along the Pacific Coast Highway on the west coast of the United States in a convertible.

“I’m so glad we got to do it,” said Mr Durban-Haskins.

“Rob will be dearly missed by me and by so many people. I’m just thankful for all the great memories.”

Mr Durban-Haskins used to live in Whitstable Road, Canterbury, but has since moved to Peterborough in Cambridgeshire.

On Friday he organised a tribute evening for Rob at the Jolly Sailor pub, attended by about 100 friends.

Mr Durban-Haskins said: “Rob was very ‘friends-centric’. He loved his friends. He will be missed terribly, not just by me, but by a whole group of us.”

Rob’s funeral will be held at Sittingbourne Crematorium in Sheppey Way, Bobbing, on November 28.