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Iraq
Bios on two Brit soldiers killed in southern Iraq
2006-06-01
Thank you and sleep well.
As the Army suffered the highest number of fatal attacks in a month since the invasion of Iraq in 2003, commanders on the ground are concerned at the level of sophistication and ferocity of the assaults. Their anxiety was underlined when the Ministry of Defence named two soldiers killed in the latest attacks that have claimed nine lives this month.

Lt Tom Mildinhall and L/Cpl Paul Farrelly, both of the Queen's Dragoon Guards, died after a roadside bomb destroyed their Land Rover on Sunday night. The 26-year-old officer's parents, Lt Col Colin Mildinhall, a retired Royal Engineer and his mother Susan, said their grief was "an ordeal we would not wish any mother and father to endure". "For those parents who have lost sons and daughters in this way, we are now with them," they said in a statement. "For those who will have to go through this in the future; we are here.

"We have lost a beautiful, talented and loving son for ever. Our world is in pieces and our country has again lost one of its best."

Lt Mildinhall was educated at Monkton Combe school in Bath and studied computer sciences at Durham University where he also excelled at rowing. On his second tour of Iraq, Lt Mildinhall was praised as a "thoroughly capable officer" who "physically led the more dangerous patrols". Lt Col Anthony Pittman, commanding officer of the QDG, said: "Regardless of circumstance he always viewed the glass as half full.

''His love of life, sharp wit and ability to laugh at himself coupled with his enduring commitment to the team were qualities that endeared him to us all."

L/Cpl Paul Farrelly, 27, from Runcorn, was top recruit on his course when he joined the Army four years ago and was serving on his third Iraq deployment. Lt Col Pittman praised the married father of three young children as "one of the most competent lance corporals in the regiment". "He embodied much of what is best about soldiers in the British Army; selfless, determined, humorous and steadfast in the face of adversity," he said.
Posted by:Steve White

#3  These are men to be proud of. There is much right in a country that can produce such men. I'll raise a cup of tea in their memories this afternoon.
Posted by: trailing wife   2006-06-01 09:37  

#2  God bless them and their families.
Posted by: 49 Pan   2006-06-01 08:26  

#1  God bless lads, and thank-you. Used to go to cadet camps with the Monkton Combe lads - damn good at rugby.

Posted by: Howard UK   2006-06-01 07:48  

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