UK soldier dies after Iraq attack

[jameshr4]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4913220.stm

A British soldier has died from injuries after an improvised device exploded near Basra in southern Iraq, the Ministry of Defence has said.
The soldier, the 104th UK military fatality of the conflict, was a member of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards.

Three of his colleagues were slightly injured by the roadside bomb.

The dead man's immediate next of kin have been informed and have requested his name be withheld until the wider family has been consulted.

"I was deeply saddened to hear of this incident; my thoughts and sympathies are with the families of all those concerned at this difficult time," said Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram.

Troop reduction

The device exploded near a patrol north west of Basra on Saturday.

It comes after a suicide bomb attack on Friday close to the British logistics base at Shaibah, near Basra, in which four soldiers were treated for minor injuries.

The last British soldiers to die in Iraq were Captain Richard Holmes and Private Lee Ellis, both from 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment and attached to the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards.

They were part of a routine patrol that was targeted by a roadside bomb on the outskirts of Amara, southern Iraq, on 28 February.

Defence Secretary John Reid announced last month that the number of UK troops in Iraq will be reduced by 800 to 7,000.

[MoFo]

R.i.p , :-(

[++boss^is^dead++]

another tragedy. R.I.P

[buckeyedoc]

R.I.P.
Thoughts and prayers to his family and friends.

[Gringo]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4915166.stm

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41567000/jpg/_41567196_richard_palmer203_pa.jpg

Dead UK soldier was 'future star'

Lieutenant Richard Palmer, a British soldier who died after a roadside bomb exploded in Iraq, was a "star of the future", his commanding officer said.
The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards soldier, from Ware, Hertfordshire, was the 104th UK military fatality of the conflict.

He died on Saturday after the vehicle he was commanding was caught in an explosion near Ad Dayr, north-west of Basra, the Ministry of Defence said.

His father paid tribute to a "talented and popular young man".

Meanwhile, Lt Palmer's commanding officer said the regiment had lost a "great ambassador, a splendid soldier and a fine friend".

The officer was "an intelligent, charming, talented yet incredibly modest individual", said Lieutenant Colonel Ben Edwards.

"Despite having only served with the regiment for just under two years, he was widely regarded by soldier and officer alike as a star of the future," he said.

"Individuals such as Richard have made a tangible difference to the future of the people of Iraq.

"On a daily basis they put their lives at risk as they endeavour to improve the security situation within the country."

Three of his colleagues were slightly injured in the attack.

The soldiers were taking part in a joint patrol with the Iraqi Army at the time.

'Much loved'

Brigadier John Palmer, Lt Palmer's father, paid tribute to his son.

"Richard was a much loved son, grandson, brother, uncle and boyfriend, with a huge number of very good friends.

"He was enormously proud to be a soldier and in particular to be a member of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards," he said.

"Richard was a very talented and popular young man who achieved a lot in his life. We are immensely proud of him - whilst nothing can make his loss any easier we are just thankful that the other members of his troop, of whom he thought so much, were not seriously injured."

Troop reduction

The death comes after a suicide bomb attack on Friday close to the British logistics base at Shaibah, near Basra, in which four soldiers suffered minor injuries.

The last British soldiers to die in Iraq were Captain Richard Holmes and Private Lee Ellis, both from 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment and attached to the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards.

They were part of a routine patrol that was targeted by a roadside bomb on the outskirts of Amara, southern Iraq, on 28 February.

Defence Secretary John Reid announced last month that the number of UK troops in Iraq would be reduced by 800 to 7,000.


RIP :(