30/09/2004

Second British soldier killed in Basrah is named

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has named the second British soldier who was killed by militants in the outskirts of the southern Iraqi city of Basrah on Tuesday.

Gunner David Lawrence, 25, from Walsall in the Midlands, was serving with the 1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery when the convoy of vehicles he was travelling in was ambushed by militants. The convoy was escorting a visit to a new housing project when it came under fire from rocket propelled grenades and small arms fire.

A spokesperson for the regiment said: "[David] was a cheerful soldier who always had a cheeky grin on his face; a keen footballer – he was very much a team player. He was very popular with all who knew him, and he was a good loyal friend. He will be sorely missed by all in the Regiment. Our deepest sympathy goes out to his parents and his girlfriend."

David Lawrence, who joined the Royal Artillery in June 2001, had served in Bosnia and took part in the provision of emergency cover under Operation Fresco during the industrial action by firefighters in 2002-3.

He was deployed to Iraq in June 2004 as a member of a Rifle Troop responsible for the mentoring and training of the Serious Crimes Unit of the Basrah Police. His troop recently re-roled to provide escort teams to a group coordinating reconstruction projects in Basra province.

(gmcg/mb)

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