Convoy-attack death soldier named

Cpl Brookes died of his injuries after Monday's attack (Pic MoD)

A British soldier who died in southern Iraq after the convoy he was travelling in came under attack has been named.

Corporal Jeremy Brookes, of 4th Battalion The Rifles, was injured in a small arms fire attack in Basra City.

The 28-year-old had been commanding a vehicle escorting a re-supply convoy in the Al Tuwaysa district of the city when it came under attack on Monday.

Cpl Brookes, originally of Birmingham, was remembered as an "inspirational" figure by his commanding officer.

Lt Col Patrick Sanders said: "An outstanding Rifleman, a charismatic and natural leader, a sportsman of exceptional talent and determination, and a warm, wickedly funny and generous man, he was in all respects larger than life and an example to us all.

"He died leading his beloved riflemen in battle, inspiring, cajoling and striving for ever better standards to the last."

'Sorely missed'

Major James Bryant, the officer commanding of Cpl Brook's Company, R Company, said: "His loss is tragic and deeply felt, but he would have been exactly the man to rise up and continue the challenge had it been another rifleman. R Company will miss him sorely."

The soldier was taken to the Basra Palace UK base following Monday's attack, but died of his injuries.

In a separate attack on the same convoy a Turkish civilian driver died when a fuel tanker caught fire.

The soldier's death brings to 149 the number of British troops killed in Iraq since the invasion in March 2003.