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| Version 5 | Version 6 |
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| Iraq boat attack personnel named | Iraq boat attack personnel named |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Four British service personnel who were killed in an attack on a patrol boat in southern Iraq have been named. | Four British service personnel who were killed in an attack on a patrol boat in southern Iraq have been named. |
| The dead included Warrant Officer Lee Hopkins, Royal Corps of Signals, and Staff Sergeant Sharron Elliott of the Intelligence Corps. | The dead included Warrant Officer Lee Hopkins, Royal Corps of Signals, and Staff Sergeant Sharron Elliott of the Intelligence Corps. |
| Also killed in the attack on Sunday were Corporal Ben Nowak of 45 Commando Royal Marines and Marine Jason Hylton of 539 Assault Squadron Royal Marines. | |
| Their boat was hit by an "improvised explosive device" during a patrol. | Their boat was hit by an "improvised explosive device" during a patrol. |
| Another three were seriously injured in the attack, which took place during routine operations along the Shatt al-Arab waterway in Basra. | |
| An investigation was launched involving weapons specialists in tandem with extensive information gathering across the city. | An investigation was launched involving weapons specialists in tandem with extensive information gathering across the city. |
| Staff Sgt Elliott is only the second woman to die in action in Iraq since the conflict began in 2003. | Staff Sgt Elliott is only the second woman to die in action in Iraq since the conflict began in 2003. |
| An investigation includes extensive information gathering across BasraThe attack took place at 0950 GMT (1250 local time) and is thought to be the first such attack on a patrol boat carrying British personnel. | An investigation includes extensive information gathering across BasraThe attack took place at 0950 GMT (1250 local time) and is thought to be the first such attack on a patrol boat carrying British personnel. |
| WO Hopkins, 35, was five weeks into a planned six-month tour in Iraq and was described as a strong, enthusiastic character with a wicked sense of humour. | WO Hopkins, 35, was five weeks into a planned six-month tour in Iraq and was described as a strong, enthusiastic character with a wicked sense of humour. |
| His commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Park, said: "WO Lee Hopkins was the ultimate professional. | His commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Park, said: "WO Lee Hopkins was the ultimate professional. |
| We have lost a trusted and valued colleague, who will be sorely missed by all Army tribute to WO Hopkins "Although he arrived in theatre only five weeks ago, he made an immediate impact. Vastly experienced, he worked tirelessly for his soldiers, encouraging them to succeed." | We have lost a trusted and valued colleague, who will be sorely missed by all Army tribute to WO Hopkins "Although he arrived in theatre only five weeks ago, he made an immediate impact. Vastly experienced, he worked tirelessly for his soldiers, encouraging them to succeed." |
| WO Hopkins, from Wellingborough, had been married for 10 years and leaves behind a wife and son, aged three. | WO Hopkins, from Wellingborough, had been married for 10 years and leaves behind a wife and son, aged three. |
| Lt Col Park added: "We have lost a trusted and valued colleague, who will be sorely missed by all." | Lt Col Park added: "We have lost a trusted and valued colleague, who will be sorely missed by all." |
| Staff Sgt Sharron Elliott, 34, spent her early career in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, becoming the first female in the army to qualify as an aircraft technician. | Staff Sgt Sharron Elliott, 34, spent her early career in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, becoming the first female in the army to qualify as an aircraft technician. |
| She was deployed to Iraq to fill a temporary post but volunteered to extend to serve a full six-month tour. | She was deployed to Iraq to fill a temporary post but volunteered to extend to serve a full six-month tour. |
| She was the most fantastic person, she was just amazing and touched the hearts of everyone she met Elsie Manning, Sharron's mother | She was the most fantastic person, she was just amazing and touched the hearts of everyone she met Elsie Manning, Sharron's mother |
| Her mother, Elsie Manning, said of her daughter: "Sharron was the most beautiful, caring person in the world. She was very strong-minded but very compassionate. | Her mother, Elsie Manning, said of her daughter: "Sharron was the most beautiful, caring person in the world. She was very strong-minded but very compassionate. |
| "She had lots of friends and used to look after one of them who had cancer so that her husband could have a break - that is the sort of person she was." | "She had lots of friends and used to look after one of them who had cancer so that her husband could have a break - that is the sort of person she was." |
| Mrs Manning added: "She loved cooking and used to take over the kitchen when she came home, whipping up all kinds of exotic dishes for us all to try. | Mrs Manning added: "She loved cooking and used to take over the kitchen when she came home, whipping up all kinds of exotic dishes for us all to try. |
| Mrs Manning said it was some comfort to the family that she died doing what she loved and added: "We all loved her so much". | Mrs Manning said it was some comfort to the family that she died doing what she loved and added: "We all loved her so much". |
| Enormous sadness | Enormous sadness |
| Cpl Nowak, 27, who lived in Liverpool, was described as an outgoing and gregarious individual who would be remembered for his keen sense of humour. | Cpl Nowak, 27, who lived in Liverpool, was described as an outgoing and gregarious individual who would be remembered for his keen sense of humour. |
| Lieutenant Colonel Haydn White, Commanding Officer of 539 Assault Squadron Royal Marines said: "It is with enormous sadness that we hear of the death of Corporal Ben Nowak. | Lieutenant Colonel Haydn White, Commanding Officer of 539 Assault Squadron Royal Marines said: "It is with enormous sadness that we hear of the death of Corporal Ben Nowak. |
| He brought with him the highest levels of individual professionalism and selflessness Lt Col Hadyn tribute to Marine Hylton 'Promising' marine killed "He brought from 45 Commando Royal Marines the highest levels of professionalism, physical fitness and enthusiasm and he had an immediate and lasting impact on all those he served with. | He brought with him the highest levels of individual professionalism and selflessness Lt Col Hadyn tribute to Marine Hylton 'Promising' marine killed "He brought from 45 Commando Royal Marines the highest levels of professionalism, physical fitness and enthusiasm and he had an immediate and lasting impact on all those he served with. |
| "Our thoughts are with his partner, family and friends at this very sad time." | "Our thoughts are with his partner, family and friends at this very sad time." |
| Marine Hylton, 33, lived with his parents near Burton on Trent and was divorced but leaves behind two sons. | Marine Hylton, 33, lived with his parents near Burton on Trent and was divorced but leaves behind two sons. |
| Lt Col Hadyn said: "It is with enormous sadness that we hear of the death of Marine Jay Hylton. | Lt Col Hadyn said: "It is with enormous sadness that we hear of the death of Marine Jay Hylton. |
| "A volunteer to be part of the Squadron's operational deployment to Iraq he brought with him the highest levels of individual professionalism and selflessness." | "A volunteer to be part of the Squadron's operational deployment to Iraq he brought with him the highest levels of individual professionalism and selflessness." |