This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/6282058.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Iraq accident death soldier named | Iraq accident death soldier named |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A British soldier who died in an accident in Iraq on Friday has been named as Rifleman Edward Vakabua, 23, of 4th Battalion The Rifles. | A British soldier who died in an accident in Iraq on Friday has been named as Rifleman Edward Vakabua, 23, of 4th Battalion The Rifles. |
| Rifleman Vakabua, a Fijian national from Suva serving in Mortar Platoon attached to 7 Platoon, B Company, died at the Basra Palace base. | Rifleman Vakabua, a Fijian national from Suva serving in Mortar Platoon attached to 7 Platoon, B Company, died at the Basra Palace base. |
| The Ministry of Defence has not given any details of the accident, but said an investigation had begun. | The Ministry of Defence has not given any details of the accident, but said an investigation had begun. |
| The MoD said "Vaka" was a "quiet, shy and pleasant character". | The MoD said "Vaka" was a "quiet, shy and pleasant character". |
| Based in Bulford, Wiltshire, he was described as a team player who completed tasks without complaint or problems. | Based in Bulford, Wiltshire, he was described as a team player who completed tasks without complaint or problems. |
| Captain Will Peltor, Rifleman Vakabua's Platoon Commander, said: "Vaka's death yesterday has hurt us all deeply: a friend, a cherished brother Rifleman, a proud son of Fiji - and one of whom Fiji can be deeply proud - has been lost serving our country on active service." | Captain Will Peltor, Rifleman Vakabua's Platoon Commander, said: "Vaka's death yesterday has hurt us all deeply: a friend, a cherished brother Rifleman, a proud son of Fiji - and one of whom Fiji can be deeply proud - has been lost serving our country on active service." |
| 'Courage and selflessness' | |
| The platoon soldiers paid tribute to him in a ceremony, during which his fellow Fijians sang. | The platoon soldiers paid tribute to him in a ceremony, during which his fellow Fijians sang. |
| Capt Peltor added: "It raised the hairs on the backs of our necks and was a fitting and wonderful tribute to a fallen friend whose faith, courage, selflessness and simple decency defined him and inspired all who knew him." | Capt Peltor added: "It raised the hairs on the backs of our necks and was a fitting and wonderful tribute to a fallen friend whose faith, courage, selflessness and simple decency defined him and inspired all who knew him." |
| Rifleman Vakabua's mother and sisters live in Fiji and his brother is also serving in Iraq, with the 1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery. | |
| Defence Secretary Des Browne said: "I am deeply saddened by the tragic death of Rifleman Vakabua. His family are very much in my thoughts and prayers as they come to terms with their loss." | |
| Fijian soldiers | |
| A soldier from 2nd Battalion The Royal Welsh, who was killed in an improvised bomb attack on Saturday, is expected to be named later. | |
| The latest deaths mean the total number of UK troops killed in operations in Iraq has risen to 158. | The latest deaths mean the total number of UK troops killed in operations in Iraq has risen to 158. |
| Of those who died, 122 are classed as having been killed in combat. | |
| There are approximately 2,000 soldiers serving in the British Army from Fiji, a country where almost half of the population is reported to live below the poverty line. |