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| Tributes paid to Basra boat four | Tributes paid to Basra boat four |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Tributes have been paid to four British service personnel killed in an attack on their patrol boat in southern Iraq. | Tributes have been paid to four British service personnel killed in an attack on their patrol boat in southern Iraq. |
| The mother of Staff Sergeant Sharron Elliott, of the Intelligence Corps, said that her daughter "touched the hearts of everyone she met". | |
| Corporal Ben Nowak of 45 Commando Royal Marines and Warrant Officer Lee Hopkins, Royal Corps of Signals, were also killed in Sunday's attack. | |
| Marine Jason Hylton of 539 Assault Squadron Royal Marines also died. | |
| 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 service personnel were seriously injured in the attack, which took place during routine operations along the Shatt al-Arab waterway in Basra. | |
| Staff Sgt Elliott, 34, is the first woman from the British Army to die in action in Iraq since the conflict began in 2003. | |
| She was the most fantastic person, she was just amazing and touched the hearts of everyone she met Elsie Manning, Sharron's mother | She was the most fantastic person, she was just amazing and touched the hearts of everyone she met Elsie Manning, Sharron's mother |
| She 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 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 deployed to Iraq to fill a temporary post but volunteered to extend to serve a full six-month tour. |
| Her mother, Elsie Manning, said: "Sharron was the most beautiful, caring person in the world. She was very strong-minded but very compassionate. | |
| WO Lee Hopkins and Cpl Ben Nowak also died in the attack | WO Lee Hopkins and Cpl Ben Nowak also died in the attack |
| "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." | "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." |
| The servicewoman's mother said it was some comfort to the family that she died doing what she loved and added: "We all loved her so much". | The servicewoman's mother said it was some comfort to the family that she died doing what she loved and added: "We all loved her so much". |
| Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Park, her commanding officer in Iraq, said she was "dedicated and professional". | Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Park, her commanding officer in Iraq, said she was "dedicated and professional". |
| "She was fun-loving and full of zeal; she always had a smile however difficult the circumstances," he said. | "She was fun-loving and full of zeal; she always had a smile however difficult the circumstances," he said. |
| 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. |
| Lt Col Park said of him: "Although he arrived in theatre only five weeks ago, he made an immediate impact. | |
| Ben was an extraordinary soldier and an extraordinary young man Family tribute to Ben Nowak Marine's family mourns | Ben was an extraordinary soldier and an extraordinary young man Family tribute to Ben Nowak Marine's family mourns |
| "Vastly experienced, he worked tirelessly for his soldiers, encouraging them to succeed." | "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. | WO Hopkins, from Wellingborough, had been married for 10 years and leaves behind a wife and son, aged three. |
| Cpl Nowak, 27, who lived in Liverpool, was described as an outgoing and gregarious individual who would be remembered for his keen sense of humour. | Cpl Nowak, 27, who lived in Liverpool, was described as an outgoing and gregarious individual who would be remembered for his keen sense of humour. |
| Lieutenant Colonel Haydn White, Commanding Officer of 539 Assault Squadron Royal Marines, said Cpl Nowak had made "immediate and lasting impact on all those he served with". | Lieutenant Colonel Haydn White, Commanding Officer of 539 Assault Squadron Royal Marines, said Cpl Nowak had made "immediate and lasting impact on all those he served with". |
| The serviceman's uncle, Michael McEvatt, 48, said: "Ben was an extraordinary soldier and an extraordinary young man. | The serviceman's uncle, Michael McEvatt, 48, said: "Ben was an extraordinary soldier and an extraordinary young man. |
| "He was so proud of what he did and he was so proud of that uniform." | "He was so proud of what he did and he was so proud of that uniform." |
| He brought with him the highest levels of individual professionalism and selflessness Lt Col White tribute to Marine Hylton 'Promising' marine killed | |
| Marine Hylton, 33, lived with his parents near Burton-on-Trent and was divorced. He leaves behind two sons. | Marine Hylton, 33, lived with his parents near Burton-on-Trent and was divorced. He leaves behind two sons. |
| His brother, Daz, 37, said he had "loved the marine life" and "thoroughly enjoyed his job". | His brother, Daz, 37, said he had "loved the marine life" and "thoroughly enjoyed his job". |
| The marine's brother went on: "He always said that if anything happened to him then no-one, even Bush and Blair, should be blamed." | The marine's brother went on: "He always said that if anything happened to him then no-one, even Bush and Blair, should be blamed." |
| Meanwhile, Lt Col White said of Marine Hylton: "A volunteer to be part of the Squadron's operational deployment to Iraq, he brought with him the highest levels of individual professionalism and selflessness." | |
| 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. |
| 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. |