Three dead SAS soldiers are named

SAS soldier Lee Fitzsimmons saw active service in Iraq and Afghanistan

Three SAS soldiers killed in Iraq have been named for the first time after a coroner overturned anonymity rulings.

Sgt John Battersby, 31, of Lancashire, and Trooper Lee Fitzsimmons, 26, from Peterborough, died when their Puma helicopter crashed in Baghdad in 2007.

In a separate incident, SAS soldier Nicholas Brown, 34, died in a fire fight in Iraq on 26 March this year.

Hereford Coroner David Halpern lifted a court order that had prevented Mr Fitzsimmons being named.

His mother Jacqui Auty spoke of her "aching loss" and said the last few months had been "absolute hell".

Mr Halpern had imposed reporting restrictions in December following requests from the Ministry of Defence and the soldiers' families but they were revoked following applications from the media.

However, lawyers for media groups contested the orders and the MoD said it did not need to have them continued.

"I felt I couldn't sustain them just for the privacy of the families, much as I would wish to see their privacy respected as much as possible," he said.

Policy change?

The coroner said he interpreted the MoD's new stance on allowing the SAS soldiers to be named as a change of policy - although it has not been described as such.

"I think it is a change of policy, but it was put to me on the basis that they will consider each incident on its merits and particular circumstances," he said.

However, it is understood that the SAS did not want the men to be named.

It is of some small comfort knowing that he loved his job, knew the risks, and wouldn't have had it any other wayr Jacqui Auty

Friends and family paid tribute to Mr Fitzsimmons, who was killed when an RAF Puma came down near the town of Salman Pak, on the outskirts of the Iraqi capital.

In a statement, his mother said: "The last few months have been absolute hell.

"Inside, I still can't believe that it has happened and that I'll never see or hold Lee again.

"It is of some small comfort knowing that he loved his job, knew the risks, and wouldn't have had it any other way."

Mr Fitzsimmons, a keen runner, joined the Royal Marines in 1999 aged 17. He saw active service in both Iraq and Afghanistan, and leaves a younger sister and brother.

Proud tribute

A joint tribute from friends and family said "his larger-than-life personality lit up the room".

"Nobody wants to die at such a young age, but Lee knew the risks, and he wouldn't have shied away from doing his duty for his country alongside his fellow soldiers," they said.

"We are all devastated at the thought of never seeing him again or hearing his cheerful laughter.

"The only thing that keeps us going is our pride in Lee, in what he achieved, and ultimately, in the price he paid."

Relatives of Sgt Battersby, formerly of the Queen's Lancashire Regiment, and Mr Brown did not want to speak about their losses.

There have been a number of fatal crashes involving Pumas - the oldest helicopter operated by the RAF - in recent years.

In April 2007, two servicemen died when two Puma helicopters collided north of Baghdad.

In August last year, three personnel were killed when a Puma crashed in North Yorkshire.

An RAF pilot was also killed when a Puma crashed in Iraq in July 2004.