30/05/2006

MoD names two soldiers killed in Iraq

The Ministry of Defence has released the names of two soldiers killed in Iraq at the weekend.

Lieutenant Tom Mildinhall, 26, from Battersea, south London and Lance Corporal Paul Farrelly, 27, from Runcorn, near Liverpool, both from the Queen's Dragoon Guards, were killed by a roadside bomb while on a routine patrol in the Al Jezaizah district of north west Basra on Sunday night.

The MoD said that Lt Mildinhall had first been deployed to Iraq in November 2004 where he assisted in training with the fledgling Iraqi Border Police. His second deployment to southern Iraq began just one month ago.

His commanding officer, Lieutenant Anthony Pittman described him as a "thoroughly capable officer." He said: "He was intelligent, determined and utterly loyal to both his own command and his superiors. He led by example and his soldiers responded positively, safe in the knowledge he had their best interests at heart."

Lt Mildinhall's parents released a statement praising their "beautiful, talented and loving son." They said: "Our world is in pieces and our country has again lost one of its best."

L/Cpl Farrelly, known as Fas, was married with three young children. He had been serving on his third deployment to Iraq, which had also begun a month ago.

He first served in Iraq during the initial combat operations between February and May 2003 and completed his second six month tour in April 2005, when the regiment was deployed to assist in training the Iraqi Security Forces.

Lt Col Pittman said said that he was "an outstanding soldier". He said: "He was knowledgeable, quick-thinking and tough. He stood out amongst his peers as a natural leader; level-headed and utterly dependable.

"He embodied much of what is best about soldiers in the British Army' selfless, determined, humorous and steadfast in the face of adversity."

The Queen's Dragoon Guards are based in Osnabruck, Germany, and forms part of 20 Armoured Brigade.

(KMcA/SP)

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