07/09/2005

MoD names two killed soldiers

The Ministry of Defence has named the two British soldiers killed in a roadside bomb attack in southern Iraq on Monday.

They were Donal Anthony Meade, 20, from Plumstead, southeast London and Stephen Robert Manning, 22, from Erith in Kent.

Both men served in C Company of the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, which is based in Lisburn, Northern Ireland.

The soldiers were travelling in an armoured Land Rover, as part of a two-vehicle patrol, when the bomb, thought to be an improvised explosive device, exploded around five miles east of the Shaibah airbase in the Basra province.

Lieutenant Colonel John Whitwam MBE, Commanding Officer of 2nd Regiment Royal Fusiliers, paid tribute to the two soldiers. He said: "The whole of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers mourns the tragic loss of these two fine young men. Both were volunteers to serve in Iraq with C Company of 2nd Battalion, the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. Both enjoyed the excitement, the sense of purpose and the camaraderie. They understood the dangers but were proud to be soldiers and recognised that they were doing a difficult, occasionally thankless but always worthwhile job.

"We offer our sincere condolences to their families."

(KMcA/SP)

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