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Soldier killed in Basra is named Dead soldier 'father of regiment'
(about 1 hour later)
The Ministry of Defence has named the soldier who was killed in Iraq after coming under mortar fire. A soldier killed in Iraq has been named as one of the Army's most experienced men, a major who served for 30 years.
Major Paul Harding, a company commander in the 4th Battalion The Rifles, was killed in Basra. Maj Paul Harding, a company commander in the 4th Battalion The Rifles, was killed in Basra.
The 48-year-old died after an attack on the Provincial Joint Co-ordination Centre. The 48-year-old, of Winchester, Hants, died after coming under a mortar fire attack while securing a route for a supply convoy.
The latest death, in the early hours of Wednesday, takes the number of UK troops killed in operations in Iraq to a total of 152. Married with two sons, Maj Harding was described as "one of the fathers of the regiment".
"Professional excellence"
Maj Harding served as a rifleman for 30 years, first in the Royal Green Jackets and more recently in the Rifles following Army restructuring.
During his three decades of duty, he had done the job of every soldier under his command, "and had done it better than any of them", his commanding officer Lt Col Patrick Sanders said.
Maj Harding arrived in Basra less than a month before he was killed. He was working as chief of staff, responsible for the daily running of the organisation in the city.
Lt Col Sanders said: "The Rifles lost one of its most senior, long-serving and admired Riflemen, and the country lost a veteran soldier of deep personal integrity, professional excellence, wisdom, experience and simple decency."
He added: "His family have lost a husband, father, brother, son and friend and their grief will be inconsolable. Truly the thoughts and prayers of every single Rifleman in the Battalion are with them in their hour of need and beyond."
We have lost a close friend, an outstanding leader, an exemplary Rifleman and a remarkable and decent man Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Sanders
Colonel Sanders said Major Harding led by example and was in the most dangerous position when the convoy was attacked.
"It was typical of him, he would never ask a Riflemen to do something he wouldn't do himself and wanting to minimise the risk to his men, placed himself in danger.
"My desk is covered with short handwritten tributes from his Riflemen. They are unbearably moving and speak volumes for the love and respect Paul inspired."
He added: "We have lost a close friend, an outstanding leader, an exemplary Rifleman and a remarkable and decent man. But we are not bowed or beaten by his loss. Instead we stand a little taller today than yesterday.
"The resilience, determination, professionalism, decency and compassion, pride, good humour and fighting spirit that I see in the eyes of this Battalion, despite the losses we have suffered, these things are Paul's legacy."
The latest death takes the number of UK troops killed in operations in Iraq to a total of 152.