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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| British serviceman killed in Iraq | British serviceman killed in Iraq |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A British airman was killed in a small arms fire attack in Basra in southern Iraq on Tuesday night, the Ministry of Defence has said. | A British airman was killed in a small arms fire attack in Basra in southern Iraq on Tuesday night, the Ministry of Defence has said. |
| The airman, from 1 Squadron, RAF Regiment, has not been named yet but next of kin have been informed. | The airman, from 1 Squadron, RAF Regiment, has not been named yet but next of kin have been informed. |
| Meanwhile, a British soldier, also killed in a small arms attack in Basra, has been named as Private Craig Barber. | Meanwhile, a British soldier, also killed in a small arms attack in Basra, has been named as Private Craig Barber. |
| Pte Barber, 20, from Ogmore Vale in Wales, died on Monday in an operation in the Al Fursi district of the city. | Pte Barber, 20, from Ogmore Vale in Wales, died on Monday in an operation in the Al Fursi district of the city. |
| He had been driving a Warrior vehicle as part of a night operation to counter indirect fire attacks on Basra Palace. | He had been driving a Warrior vehicle as part of a night operation to counter indirect fire attacks on Basra Palace. |
| Wedding anniversary | Wedding anniversary |
| Pte Barber joined the 2nd Battalion The Royal Welsh three years ago and was on his second tour of duty in Iraq. | Pte Barber joined the 2nd Battalion The Royal Welsh three years ago and was on his second tour of duty in Iraq. |
| Fellow soldiers revealed he had been due to return home on leave this month to celebrate his first wedding anniversary with his wife, Donna, and their three-year-old son, Bradley. | Fellow soldiers revealed he had been due to return home on leave this month to celebrate his first wedding anniversary with his wife, Donna, and their three-year-old son, Bradley. |
| He was a huge physical presence in his platoon but was the epitome of the gentle giant Major Steve Mannings class="" href="/1/hi/wales/6936930.stm">Tributes to 'dedicated soldier' | |
| His commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Swift, said: "Craig married Donna in August last year and was looking forward to their first anniversary. He had arranged his leave in order to be there. | His commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Swift, said: "Craig married Donna in August last year and was looking forward to their first anniversary. He had arranged his leave in order to be there. |
| "He was a caring, loving father to Bradley who turned three only last month. He has always been a physically imposing guy and had a larger than life personality." | "He was a caring, loving father to Bradley who turned three only last month. He has always been a physically imposing guy and had a larger than life personality." |
| He added: "Craig died as he lived; working for others and helping to protect them." | He added: "Craig died as he lived; working for others and helping to protect them." |
| Company commander Major Steve Mannings said: "He was a huge physical presence in his platoon but was the epitome of the gentle giant, always ready for a chat, always eager to please - he was an extremely popular young man." | Company commander Major Steve Mannings said: "He was a huge physical presence in his platoon but was the epitome of the gentle giant, always ready for a chat, always eager to please - he was an extremely popular young man." |
| Second Lieutenant Olly Pope, Pte Barber's platoon commander, described him as one of the best Warrior drivers in the platoon. | Second Lieutenant Olly Pope, Pte Barber's platoon commander, described him as one of the best Warrior drivers in the platoon. |
| The death of the British airman brings the total number of UK personnel killed in Iraq to 166. | The death of the British airman brings the total number of UK personnel killed in Iraq to 166. |