This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/6282436.stm
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
'Heart and soul' soldier killed | 'Heart and soul' soldier killed |
(about 20 hours later) | |
A Royal Welsh soldier killed in Iraq has been remembered as a "Llanelli man through and through" who was "the heart and soul of his platoon". | A Royal Welsh soldier killed in Iraq has been remembered as a "Llanelli man through and through" who was "the heart and soul of his platoon". |
L/Cpl Ryan Francis, aged 23, of 2nd battalion The Royal Welsh and known as Franky, died in a roadside bomb attack in Basra on Saturday. | L/Cpl Ryan Francis, aged 23, of 2nd battalion The Royal Welsh and known as Franky, died in a roadside bomb attack in Basra on Saturday. |
His commanding officer paid tribute to the Carmarthenshire soldier as "professional, brave and committed." | His commanding officer paid tribute to the Carmarthenshire soldier as "professional, brave and committed." |
He said everyone's thoughts were with his parents and girlfriend Joanne. | He said everyone's thoughts were with his parents and girlfriend Joanne. |
Lt Col James Swift said L/Cpl Francis was the driver of a Warrior armoured fighting vehicle on his third tour of Iraq, and a member of the battle group's elite "recce" platoon. | Lt Col James Swift said L/Cpl Francis was the driver of a Warrior armoured fighting vehicle on his third tour of Iraq, and a member of the battle group's elite "recce" platoon. |
He had a tattoo on is arm 'I shall fear no man but God' and that summed up the way he lived his life L/Cpl Steven Walters, friend | He had a tattoo on is arm 'I shall fear no man but God' and that summed up the way he lived his life L/Cpl Steven Walters, friend |
He was killed instantly during an operation to defeat insurgents attacking British and Iraqi security forces. | He was killed instantly during an operation to defeat insurgents attacking British and Iraqi security forces. |
The Ministry of Defence has also announced that a second British soldier, seriously injured during the same heavy fighting in Basra died from his wounds. | The Ministry of Defence has also announced that a second British soldier, seriously injured during the same heavy fighting in Basra died from his wounds. |
Col Swift said of L/Cpl Francis: "He had a fantastic sense of humour and was always at the centre of fun. | Col Swift said of L/Cpl Francis: "He had a fantastic sense of humour and was always at the centre of fun. |
"There is no doubt that the recce platoon will be a quieter place without him. He was genuine, honest, frank but always witty, and he was much liked and respected by all." | "There is no doubt that the recce platoon will be a quieter place without him. He was genuine, honest, frank but always witty, and he was much liked and respected by all." |
L/Cpl Francis had devoted his life to serving his country and helping his mates, said Col Swift, adding: "There can be no greater testament to a man." | L/Cpl Francis had devoted his life to serving his country and helping his mates, said Col Swift, adding: "There can be no greater testament to a man." |
Two soldiers have now died following the heavy fighting in Basra | Two soldiers have now died following the heavy fighting in Basra |
Company commander Maj Mark Williams remembered the ardent Liverpool FC fan as an "utterly genuine man" with a strong and wicked sense of humour. | Company commander Maj Mark Williams remembered the ardent Liverpool FC fan as an "utterly genuine man" with a strong and wicked sense of humour. |
He said: "Franky would always tell you what he felt in a way that would make you smile. He could always be relied upon to pick up morale when his platoon was at its lowest. | He said: "Franky would always tell you what he felt in a way that would make you smile. He could always be relied upon to pick up morale when his platoon was at its lowest. |
"He was a quiet young man who was transformed in the platoon environment. Often the life and soul of the party, he was a generous and warm-hearted individual." | "He was a quiet young man who was transformed in the platoon environment. Often the life and soul of the party, he was a generous and warm-hearted individual." |
According to Cpt Gareth Evans, his platoon commander, he was irreplaceable. | According to Cpt Gareth Evans, his platoon commander, he was irreplaceable. |
'Tremendously friendly' | |
"Franky he ever missed an opportunity to crack a joke, make us laugh and lift our spirits: we could really use him now," he said. | |
"A tremendously friendly soldier, Franky was comfortable talking to anybody, regardless of rank. He was able to communicate the feelings of our platoon, couched in a humour that could not fail to amuse." | "A tremendously friendly soldier, Franky was comfortable talking to anybody, regardless of rank. He was able to communicate the feelings of our platoon, couched in a humour that could not fail to amuse." |
Many tributes have also been paid by fellow soldiers, including L/Cpl Spencer Beynon who said his colleagues had friends in abundance in Llanelli. | Many tributes have also been paid by fellow soldiers, including L/Cpl Spencer Beynon who said his colleagues had friends in abundance in Llanelli. |
He described him as a "legend in his own right" and said he was honoured to have been regarded as his friend. | He described him as a "legend in his own right" and said he was honoured to have been regarded as his friend. |
L/Cpl Steven Walters said he had been a great friend, and "like a brother" to him. | L/Cpl Steven Walters said he had been a great friend, and "like a brother" to him. |
He added: "He was always one of the boys, always laughing and joking, lifting people's spirits without a care in the world. | He added: "He was always one of the boys, always laughing and joking, lifting people's spirits without a care in the world. |
"He had a tattoo on his arm reading "I shall fear no man but God" and that summed up the way he lived his life. I will miss him hugely." | "He had a tattoo on his arm reading "I shall fear no man but God" and that summed up the way he lived his life. I will miss him hugely." |
Previous version
1
Next version