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MoD names soldier killed in Basra | MoD names soldier killed in Basra |
(10 minutes later) | |
A British soldier killed in an attack at a base in Basra, southern Iraq, on Sunday has been named by the Ministry of Defence as L/Cpl Dennis Brady. | A British soldier killed in an attack at a base in Basra, southern Iraq, on Sunday has been named by the Ministry of Defence as L/Cpl Dennis Brady. |
The 37-year-old, from Cumbria, was a regular reservist from the Royal Army Medical Corps, attached to the 1st Battalion of the Light Infantry. | |
He was hit in an "indirect fire attack" at the Shatt Al-Arab Hotel after mortars landed inside the UK base. | He was hit in an "indirect fire attack" at the Shatt Al-Arab Hotel after mortars landed inside the UK base. |
The death brought the British death toll in Iraq since March 2003 to 119. | The death brought the British death toll in Iraq since March 2003 to 119. |
A British military spokesman in Basra said about 15 mortars had been fired at the base, with three or four landing inside the perimeter. | A British military spokesman in Basra said about 15 mortars had been fired at the base, with three or four landing inside the perimeter. |
L/Cpl Brady was taken to hospital, where he later died. Another soldier had suffered a broken arm in the attack, the spokesman said. | L/Cpl Brady was taken to hospital, where he later died. Another soldier had suffered a broken arm in the attack, the spokesman said. |
L/Cpl Brady grew up in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, where he lived with his wife, Zoe. | |
His passing will leave a gap in all our hearts Lt Col Johnny Bowron | |
He left the regular Army in 2004 and worked as a firefighter before volunteering to return to the military as a reservist. | |
His commanding officer, Lt Col Johnny Bowron, said: "His loss will be keenly felt, and the battalion has lost a trusted member and a real friend. | |
"In the relatively short time he had been with us he had become a full and trusted member of the battalion, admired by all he met and with that rare gift of universal popularity. | |
"He will be remembered for his calm and unflappable nature whatever the circumstance. | |
"This approach, coupled with a high level of medical competence, allowed the soldiers of D Company to carry out their duties secure in the knowledge that if the worst was to happen they were in safe hands. | |
My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends Defence Secretary Des Browne | |
"L/Cpl Brady was armed with a dry sense of humour, and was always ready with a barrage of friendly banter, as well as always being prepared to offer brutally honest advice regardless of the recipient's rank - advice that was nearly always correct. | |
"This slightly gruff exterior masked a deep concern for his fellow soldiers and an abiding loyalty to his adopted military home. | |
"He had a real and positive impact on those with whom he worked and his passing will leave a gap in all our hearts." | |
Defence Secretary Des Browne said: "It was with great sadness that I learned of the death of L/Cpl Brady. | |
"The British forces feel they are making a real difference in Iraq and L/Cpl Brady was part of this hugely important effort. | |
"My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends." |