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Iraq boat attack personnel named Iraq boat attack personnel named
(about 2 hours 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.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.Another three were seriously injured in the attack, which took place during routine operations along the Shatt al-Arab waterway in Basra.
The attack was the first of its kind against British personnel
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. The 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. Staff Sgt Sharron Elliott, 34, is only the second British servicewoman to die in action in Iraq since the conflict began in 2003.
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. She spent her early career in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, becoming the first female in the army to qualify as an aircraft technician.
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."
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."
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 the most fantastic person, she was just amazing and touched the hearts of everyone she met Elsie Manning, Sharron's motherShe was the most fantastic person, she was just amazing and touched the hearts of everyone she met Elsie Manning, Sharron's mother
She was deployed to Iraq to fill a temporary post but volunteered to extend to serve a full six-month tour.
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. The servicewoman's mother 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". 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.
Enormous sadness Ben was an extraordinary soldier and an extraordinary young man Family tribute to Ben Nowak href="/1/hi/england/merseyside/6147710.stm" class="">Marine's family mourns
His commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Park, said of him: "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.
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 Cpl Nowak had made "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 href="/1/hi/england/derbyshire/6147000.stm" class="">'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. The serviceman's uncle, Michael McEvatt, 48, said: "Ben was an extraordinary soldier and an extraordinary young man.
"Our thoughts are with his partner, family and friends at this very sad time." He brought with him the highest levels of individual professionalism and selflessness Lt Col Hadyn tribute to Marine Hylton href="/1/hi/england/derbyshire/6147000.stm" class="">'Promising' marine killed
Marine Hylton, 33, lived with his parents near Burton on Trent and was divorced but leaves behind two sons. "He was so proud of what he did and he was so proud of that uniform."
Lt Col Hadyn said: "It is with enormous sadness that we hear of the death of Marine Jay Hylton. Marine Hylton, 33, lived with his parents near Burton-on-Trent and was divorced. He leaves behind two sons.
"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." His brother, Daz, 37, said he had "loved the marine life" and "thoroughly enjoyed his job".
The marine's brother went on: "He always said that if anything happened to him then no-one, even Bush and Blair, should be blamed."
Meanwhile, Lt Col Hadyn White said 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."