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Convoy-attack death soldier named | |
(40 minutes later) | |
A British soldier who died in southern Iraq after the convoy he was travelling in came under attack has been named. | |
Corporal Jeremy Brookes, of 4th Battalion The Rifles, was injured in a small arms fire attack in Basra City. | |
The 28-year-old had been commanding a vehicle escorting a re-supply convoy in the Al Tuwaysa district of the city when it came under attack on Monday. | |
Cpl Brookes, originally of Birmingham, was remembered as an "inspirational" figure by his commanding officer. | |
Lt Col Patrick Sanders said: "An outstanding Rifleman, a charismatic and natural leader, a sportsman of exceptional talent and determination, and a warm, wickedly funny and generous man, he was in all respects larger than life and an example to us all. | |
"He died leading his beloved riflemen in battle, inspiring, cajoling and striving for ever better standards to the last." | |
'Sorely missed' | |
Major James Bryant, the officer commanding of Cpl Brook's Company, R Company, said: "His loss is tragic and deeply felt, but he would have been exactly the man to rise up and continue the challenge had it been another rifleman. R Company will miss him sorely." | |
The soldier was taken to the Basra Palace UK base following Monday's attack, but died of his injuries. | |
In a separate attack on the same convoy a Turkish civilian driver died when a fuel tanker caught fire. | |
The soldier's death brings to 149 the number of British troops killed in Iraq since the invasion in March 2003. |
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