Two British soldiers killed in Iraq » Central Government » 24dash.com

Two British soldiers were killed in Iraq today, the Ministry of Defence said.

The soldiers, from the 1st Battalion Irish Guards, were travelling in a convoy early this morning to the north Rumaylah oil fields, west of the southern Iraqi city of Basra, a spokesman said.

Next of kin have been informed.

Their deaths bring the total number of British service personnel who have died in the country since the 2003 invasion to 168.

News of the latest casualties came as the MoD released the name of a British serviceman killed in the city on Tuesday night.

Leading Aircraftman Martin Beard of No 1 Squadron Royal Air Force Regiment died in a small arms fire.

The soldiers from the 1st Battalion Irish Guards were killed when an improvised explosive device detonated next to their patrol just after midnight local time.

Another two soldiers were seriously injured in the attacks.

British forces in Basra have suffered a devastating week in Basra with four deaths in the last three days.

Leading Aircraftman Beard, 20, was shot during a routine foot patrol in the Al Waki district north of the British Base at Basra Airport on Tuesday.

On Monday Private Craig Barber, 20, of 2nd Battalion The Royal Welsh, died after coming under attack from small arms fire in the Al Fursi district of the city.

British troops are in the process of withdrawing from the centre of Basra city and are planning to consolidate their forces at their large airport base.

The number of troops has already been reduced from 44,000 to 5,500. They are now almost exclusively based at Basra airport amid preparations for control to be handed to Iraqi authorities.

Despite the casualties, the UK military have rejected suggestions from America that the UK had effectively lost control of the southern city.

Aircraftman Beard, from Rainworth, near Mansfield in Nottinghamshire is survived by his family and fiancee Nic.

In a statement, his Commanding Officer, Squadron Leader Jason Sutton, paid tribute to his courageous and gregarious nature: "Better known to the Squadron as Beardy, he was outwardly a quiet man but this concealed a wicked sense of humour which would emerge at the most unexpected moments, usually when morale on his Flight needed a lift.

"Strong, fit and an exceptionally gifted infantryman, he had such a bright future and had already set his sights on selection for special forces.

"I have no doubt whatsoever he would have succeeded in that as he did in all else."

Leading Aircraftman Matthew Brown, spoke of his friend. He said: "I first met Beardy on our basic training, where his confidence was obvious. We were busy but he always found time to talk to you and cheer you up.

"He was always up for going out with the lads and was a very happy person.

"After he passed out of training he planned to propose to his girlfriend of many years. He was so nervous, even though he pretended not to be, but when she accepted he couldn't wipe the smile off his face."

Leading Aircraftman Craig Richardson added: "Whenever we went out to a club or even just the pub, he was always posing and pouting in his skin-tight t-shirts.

"When I found out we were joining the same Squadron and Flight I was so happy that we could remain mates.

"He was a true friend and we will all miss him."

Copyright Press Association 2007

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