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MoD names soldier killed in Iraq | MoD names soldier killed in Iraq |
(about 11 hours later) | |
A British soldier killed in an attack in southern Iraq has been named by the Ministry of Defence as Daniel Lee Coffey, who was 21. | |
Rifleman Coffey, who had been serving with the 2nd Battalion The Rifles, was injured while on patrol in Basra on Tuesday morning. | |
He later died from his injuries and is the first soldier of the Rifles to be killed in action. | |
His commanding officer said he occupied a unique place in the regiment's story. | His commanding officer said he occupied a unique place in the regiment's story. |
The MoD said the soldier had been returning to his base at the Shatt-Al-Arab Hotel after taking part in a task mentoring the Iraqi Police Service when his patrol was ambushed by two gunmen. | The MoD said the soldier had been returning to his base at the Shatt-Al-Arab Hotel after taking part in a task mentoring the Iraqi Police Service when his patrol was ambushed by two gunmen. |
Rifleman Coffey was single and had family in Devon and Newcastle. His company commander Major Michael Foster-Brown paid tribute. | Rifleman Coffey was single and had family in Devon and Newcastle. His company commander Major Michael Foster-Brown paid tribute. |
"Rifleman Coffey had the qualities of a good rifleman: hard-working, thorough, quick-witted, brave, adventurous and with maybe just a hint of cheekiness. | "Rifleman Coffey had the qualities of a good rifleman: hard-working, thorough, quick-witted, brave, adventurous and with maybe just a hint of cheekiness. |
"With these qualities he had strong potential for the future. We will miss him and we feel for his family." | "With these qualities he had strong potential for the future. We will miss him and we feel for his family." |
UK troops levels are set to be reduced this year. The number of personnel killed in operations now stands at 133. | UK troops levels are set to be reduced this year. The number of personnel killed in operations now stands at 133. |
Combat has claimed the lives of 102. | Combat has claimed the lives of 102. |
Last week the government said troop numbers would be cut from 7,100 to 5,500, the first large-scale withdrawal from Iraq. | Last week the government said troop numbers would be cut from 7,100 to 5,500, the first large-scale withdrawal from Iraq. |
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