15/05/2006

MoD names British soldiers killed in Iraq bombing

The Ministry of Defence has named the two soldiers killed in a roadside bomb blast in Iraq on Saturday.

Privates Joseva Lewaicei, 25, and Adam Morris, 19, both of the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment, died as a result of injuries sustained from a roadside bomb that occurred around 11.45pm local time in Basra, southern Iraq, on Saturday.

The two riflemen were on a routine patrol when the incident occurred.

Pte Lewaicei, known as Lewi, was born in Fiji and has a seven-year-old daughter there. His commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Des O'Driscoll described him as a "fun-loving and exuberant character" who was also a keen sportsman, who had represented the Battalion in both rugby and boxing.

Pte Morris, who was from Leicester and was single, was noted for his "sheer professionalism and reliability", Lt O'Driscoll said.

Lt O'Driscoll said: "Our sympathy goes out to their families at this terrible time. We are deeply saddened at his tragic loss. They will be sorely missed by their friends and the wider regimental family."

In other news, four soldiers have been wounded in a mortar attack on a British base near Amara in southern Iraq.

The injuries happened when the Abu Naji camp was shelled early this morning.

One soldier was taken to a military hospital for treatment, while three others were treated for minor injuries at the base.

Saturday's deaths brought the total number of British forces to have been killed in Iraq since hostilities began in March 2003 to 111.

(KMcA)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

19 July 2004
British soldier dies in Basrah helicopter crash
A British soldier has died after an RAF helicopter crashed in southern Iraq today. The MoD confirmed that the soldier was killed in "an accident" involving an RAF Puma helicopter at Basrah International Airport. Two other British military personnel were injured during the incident.
28 February 2006
Two UK soldiers killed in Iraq bombing
A roadside bomb attack has killed two British soldiers and injured another on the outskirts of al Amara in Southern Iraq. According to a Ministry of Defence (MoD) spokesperson the injured soldier is understood to have suffered "non-life threatening injuries". The MoD confirmed that next of kin were being informed.
26 April 2010
Yemen Ambassador Escapes Bombing
A suspected suicide bomber has targeted a convoy transporting the British ambassador to Yemen. The senior diplomat, Timothy Torlot, was in a convoy travelling to the embassy, situated on a hill overlooking the city, when the bomb was detonated.
28 February 2005
Over 100 feared dead in Iraq bombing
A massive car bomb in Hilla, Iraq has killed more than 100 people according to reports from Iraq this morning. The suicide bomber exploded a device in a car close to a group of people who were queuing to apply for government jobs. The blast killed over a hundred and there are more than a hundred injured being treated in local hospitals.
13 November 2003
Italians will stay on in Iraq despite bombing
Silvio Berlusconi has today restated his country's commitment to Iraq following Tuesday's blast in which 18 Italians and nine Iraqis were killed. The blast on Tuesday occurred after a suicide bomber drove a petrol tanker at the Italian headquarters in the town of Nasiriyah.