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06/09/2006
MoD names soldier killed in Iraq blast
The Ministry of Defence has named the second soldier killed in a roadside explosion in Iraq on Monday.
Gunner Samuela Vanua, 27, from the 12 Regiment Royal Artillery, died as a result of injuries sustained from a roadside bomb near the town of Ad Dayr, north of Basra City.
Gunner Stephen Wright, 20, from the same regiment was also killed in the same blast.
The soldiers had been on a routine patrol in support of a Danish reconstruction team when the incident occurred.
The MoD said that the explosion hit the landrover patrol as it was returning to their base following a routine task training the Iraqi Police.
Gunner Vanua, known as Sammy, joined the Army in 2002.
He was attached to 58 (Eyre's) Battery, which currently forms part of the Danish-led Basra Rural North Battle Group and is four months into a six-and-a-half month tour of Iraq.
The Fijian soldier was described as "the archetypal Gunner: tough, hard-working and resourceful".
His commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Jon Campbell, from Headquarters of 12 Regiment Royal Artillery in Sennelager, Germany, said: "I was impressed by his (Gunner Vanua's) excellent attitude, infectious cheerfulness, conduct and confidence. I have many Fijian soldiers in my regiment; I could see he was there with the best of them.
"His cheeky grin characterised a mischievous good humour that endeared him to all. Popular throughout the regiment, he was fantastic company at work and socially.
"A young man growing in confidence and maturity, Gunner Vanua had obvious potential for a hugely successful career. A high quality, motivated soldier of whom the Army, his regiment and his battery is rightly very proud. Gunner Vanua was a credit to Fiji and will be sorely missed by all."
Gunner Wright, nicknamed 'Trigger', joined the Army as a 16-year-old in 2002.
Serving in the same regiment as Gunner Vanua, Gunner Wright's deployment to Iraq was his first operational tour.
On Tuesday, Lt Col Campbell said: "Gunner 'Trigger' Wright had very much come of age in Iraq, where he displayed unwavering loyalty to the battery, his multiple and his team. To lose such a valued young man under these tragic circumstances has affected us all enormously.
"He will be sorely missed by his friends and colleagues in Germany and within the battery serving in Iraq."
A statement issued by Gunner Wright's family on Tuesday said that his death had come as a "massive shock."
The statement said: "Stephen was a quiet, happy young man who enjoyed nothing more than spending time with his friends and family.
"Stephen loved the Army life. It was all he wanted to do. The whole family is very proud of him."
(KMcA/EF)
Gunner Samuela Vanua, 27, from the 12 Regiment Royal Artillery, died as a result of injuries sustained from a roadside bomb near the town of Ad Dayr, north of Basra City.
Gunner Stephen Wright, 20, from the same regiment was also killed in the same blast.
The soldiers had been on a routine patrol in support of a Danish reconstruction team when the incident occurred.
The MoD said that the explosion hit the landrover patrol as it was returning to their base following a routine task training the Iraqi Police.
Gunner Vanua, known as Sammy, joined the Army in 2002.
He was attached to 58 (Eyre's) Battery, which currently forms part of the Danish-led Basra Rural North Battle Group and is four months into a six-and-a-half month tour of Iraq.
The Fijian soldier was described as "the archetypal Gunner: tough, hard-working and resourceful".
His commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Jon Campbell, from Headquarters of 12 Regiment Royal Artillery in Sennelager, Germany, said: "I was impressed by his (Gunner Vanua's) excellent attitude, infectious cheerfulness, conduct and confidence. I have many Fijian soldiers in my regiment; I could see he was there with the best of them.
"His cheeky grin characterised a mischievous good humour that endeared him to all. Popular throughout the regiment, he was fantastic company at work and socially.
"A young man growing in confidence and maturity, Gunner Vanua had obvious potential for a hugely successful career. A high quality, motivated soldier of whom the Army, his regiment and his battery is rightly very proud. Gunner Vanua was a credit to Fiji and will be sorely missed by all."
Gunner Wright, nicknamed 'Trigger', joined the Army as a 16-year-old in 2002.
Serving in the same regiment as Gunner Vanua, Gunner Wright's deployment to Iraq was his first operational tour.
On Tuesday, Lt Col Campbell said: "Gunner 'Trigger' Wright had very much come of age in Iraq, where he displayed unwavering loyalty to the battery, his multiple and his team. To lose such a valued young man under these tragic circumstances has affected us all enormously.
"He will be sorely missed by his friends and colleagues in Germany and within the battery serving in Iraq."
A statement issued by Gunner Wright's family on Tuesday said that his death had come as a "massive shock."
The statement said: "Stephen was a quiet, happy young man who enjoyed nothing more than spending time with his friends and family.
"Stephen loved the Army life. It was all he wanted to do. The whole family is very proud of him."
(KMcA/EF)
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