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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Iraq bomb attack soldier is named | Iraq bomb attack soldier is named |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A British soldier killed in a roadside bomb attack in Iraq on Friday has been named as Private Luke Daniel Simpson. | A British soldier killed in a roadside bomb attack in Iraq on Friday has been named as Private Luke Daniel Simpson. |
| The explosion five miles south east of the Basra also injured three other soldiers, one of them critically. | The explosion five miles south east of the Basra also injured three other soldiers, one of them critically. |
| Private Simpson, 21, from Howden, East Yorkshire, was a member of the 1st Battalion, the Yorkshire Regiment, the Ministry of Defence said. | Private Simpson, 21, from Howden, East Yorkshire, was a member of the 1st Battalion, the Yorkshire Regiment, the Ministry of Defence said. |
| The death brought the total number of UK troops killed as a result of hostile action in Iraq since 2003 to 101. | The death brought the total number of UK troops killed as a result of hostile action in Iraq since 2003 to 101. |
| The total number of UK troops killed in operations is 132. | The total number of UK troops killed in operations is 132. |
| The MoD said private Simpson was returning to his base from a routine patrol when the device detonated close to the vehicle he was driving. | The MoD said private Simpson was returning to his base from a routine patrol when the device detonated close to the vehicle he was driving. |
| Personal pride | Personal pride |
| Private Simpson, who was known as "Boob" to friends, had two sisters. | Private Simpson, who was known as "Boob" to friends, had two sisters. |
| He joined the Army at the age of 16 and saw service in both Northern Ireland and Bosnia before being deployed to Iraq in November 2006. | He joined the Army at the age of 16 and saw service in both Northern Ireland and Bosnia before being deployed to Iraq in November 2006. |
| His dedication to duty, personal pride in soldiering and selfless commitment to his comrades is an inspiration to us all Lt Col Andrew Jackson | His dedication to duty, personal pride in soldiering and selfless commitment to his comrades is an inspiration to us all Lt Col Andrew Jackson |
| His father also served with the 1st Battalion as a Sergeant Major. | His father also served with the 1st Battalion as a Sergeant Major. |
| Commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Jackson, said: "Private Luke Simpson stood out as a young soldier with the highest personal and professional credentials. | Commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Jackson, said: "Private Luke Simpson stood out as a young soldier with the highest personal and professional credentials. |
| "He had the potential to go far and his dedication to duty, personal pride in soldiering and selfless commitment to his comrades is an inspiration to us all." | "He had the potential to go far and his dedication to duty, personal pride in soldiering and selfless commitment to his comrades is an inspiration to us all." |
| Colleagues in A Company said Star Wars and TV comedy fan Private Simpson was someone who always put others before himself. | Colleagues in A Company said Star Wars and TV comedy fan Private Simpson was someone who always put others before himself. |
| "His loss is devastating as he was such a positive influence on the platoon. He never complained and always made light of difficulties. He was simply a great soldier to have around and be around," said Sgt Chris McConaghy. | "His loss is devastating as he was such a positive influence on the platoon. He never complained and always made light of difficulties. He was simply a great soldier to have around and be around," said Sgt Chris McConaghy. |
| Others recalled his sense of humour. | |
| Lance Corporal Chris Blunsdon said: "He was not the biggest guy in the world, in fact we called him 'kid's body', but he used to go on about how huge he was all the time. | |
| "I remember him once complaining that the new Land Rover was not big enough for his massive frame and pretending to get cramp in the front seat." | |
| Private Stuart Brown, formerly of 1 Platoon, said: "You would see a group of giggling troops and guarantee that Boob would be in the middle... I will miss him dearly." | |
| Defence Secretary Des Browne said his thoughts and prayers were with Private Simpson's loved ones and comrades. | |
| He said attempts to undermine British efforts to improve the lives of the Iraqi people would not succeed. | He said attempts to undermine British efforts to improve the lives of the Iraqi people would not succeed. |
| "We are very proud of the professionalism and courage shown by our Armed Forces serving on operations around the world," he said. | "We are very proud of the professionalism and courage shown by our Armed Forces serving on operations around the world," he said. |