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| Iraq boat attack personnel named | Iraq boat attack personnel named |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Four British service personnel who were killed in an attack on a patrol boat in southern Iraq have been named. | Four British service personnel who were killed in an attack on a patrol boat in southern Iraq have been named. |
| The dead included Warrant Officer Lee Hopkins, Royal Corps of Signals, and Staff Sergeant Sharron Elliott of the Intelligence Corps. | |
| Also killed in the attack were Corporal Ben Nowak of 45 Commando Royal Marines and Marine Jason Hylton of 539 Assault Squadron Royal Marines. | Also killed in the attack were Corporal Ben Nowak of 45 Commando Royal Marines and Marine Jason Hylton of 539 Assault Squadron Royal Marines. |
| Their boat was hit by an "improvised explosive device" during a patrol. | Their boat was hit by an "improvised explosive device" during a patrol. |
| Another three were seriously injured in Sunday's attack, which took place during routine operations along the Shatt al-Arab waterway in Basra. | Another three were seriously injured in Sunday's attack, which took place during routine operations along the Shatt al-Arab waterway in Basra. |
| An investigation was launched involving weapons specialists in tandem with extensive information gathering across the city. | An investigation was launched involving weapons specialists in tandem with extensive information gathering across the city. |
| We have lost a trusted and valued colleague, who will be sorely missed by all Army tribute to WO Hopkins | |
| The attack took place at 0950 GMT (1250 local time) and is thought to be the first such attack on a patrol boat carrying British personnel. | The attack took place at 0950 GMT (1250 local time) and is thought to be the first such attack on a patrol boat carrying British personnel. |
| WO Hopkins, 35, was five weeks into a planned six-month tour in Iraq and was described as a strong, enthusiastic character with a wicked sense of humour. | WO Hopkins, 35, was five weeks into a planned six-month tour in Iraq and was described as a strong, enthusiastic character with a wicked sense of humour. |
| His commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Park, said: "WO Lee Hopkins was the ultimate professional. | |
| "Although he arrived in theatre only five weeks ago, he made an immediate impact. Vastly experienced, he worked tirelessly for his soldiers, encouraging them to succeed." | |
| WO Hopkins, from Wellingborough, had been married for 10 years and leaves behind a wife and son, aged three. | |
| Lt Col Park added: "We have lost a trusted and valued colleague, who will be sorely missed by all." | |
| Staff Sgt Sharron Elliott, 34, spent her early career in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, becoming the first female in the army to qualify as an aircraft technician. | |
| She was deployed to Iraq to fill a temporary post but volunteered to extend to serve a full six-month tour. | |
| She was the most fantastic person, she was just amazing and touched the hearts of everyone she met Elsie Manning, Sharron's mother | |
| Her mother, Elsie Manning, said of her daughter: "Sharron was the most beautiful caring person in the world. She was very strong-minded but very compassionate. | |
| "She had lots of friends and used to look after one of them who had cancer so that her husband could have a break - that is the sort of person she was." | |
| Mrs Manning added: "She loved cooking and used to take over the kitchen when she came home, whipping up all kinds of exotic dishes for us all to try. | |
| Mrs Manning said it was some comfort to the family that she was died doing what she loved and added: "We all loved her so much". |