Tributes for Iraq death soldier

Gunner Stephen Wright was killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq

The family of a British soldier killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq has said his son loved serving his country.

Stephen Wright, 20, was one of two soldiers who died after an ambush near Ad Dayr, north of Basra on Monday.

The gunner, from Leyland, Lancashire, was a member of 12 Regiment Royal Artillery. His father Stephen Leigh said he had "just wanted to serve".

His commanding officer said Gunner Wright, known to colleagues as Trigger, had "very much come of age in Iraq".

Lt Col Jon Campbell said: "I was struck by Gunner Wright's confidence, growing maturity and belief in himself.

"A quiet man, never one to offer unnecessary comment, he preferred to speak only when he had something of value to add."

By all accounts he was a most valuable member of his unit and a tribute to his regiment Des Browne, Defence Secretary

He added: "To lose such a valued young man under these tragic circumstances has affected all us enormously."

Defence Secretary Des Browne said: "I was extremely sad to hear of the death of Gunner Wright.

"By all accounts he was a most valuable member of his unit and a tribute to his regiment. My thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time."

Second tragedy

The deaths of Gunner Wright and his colleague bring the total number of UK soldiers killed in operations in Iraq since the 2003 conflict to 117.

The Ministry of Defence said a roadside bomb struck their Land Rover patrol vehicle as it supported a Danish reconstruction team.

In a statement, Gunner Wright's family said the death had "come as a massive shock" as only 10 months ago his mother, Elaine, 43, died in hospital after surgery on her ovaries.

"Stephen was a quiet, happy, young man who enjoyed nothing more than spending time with his friends and family," they said.

Stephen loved the Army life. It was all he wanted to do Family statement

"A few weeks ago, he spent time at home with his grandparents on R&R before returning to Iraq. He was looking forward to going back to finish his duties.

"Stephen loved the Army life. It was all he wanted to do. The whole family is very proud of him."

Mr Leigh said he was proud of his son.

"He could have been doing something he didn't like, but he loved the Army," he said.

"I don't want people to think otherwise. He was serving Leyland, Lancashire and his country. He died doing what he loved. He just wanted to serve his country."

Gunner Wright joined the army aged 16 after four years as a cadet. He trained with the Royal Artillery in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, and was then based at Sennelager, in Germany.

His battery, 58 (Eyre's), is four months into a six-and-a-half-month tour of Iraq.

Gunner Wright had been selected to attend a promotional course on return to Germany.

"I don't want to get into why the Army are there, or whether they should be," Mr Leigh said.

"That is irrelevant to me but it's hard that he's a victim of this conflict. Stephen felt the same, every time I spoke to him he said 'Dad, it's my job'."

Mr Leigh said he hoped his son would have a funeral with full military honours.