Mother's tribute to Iraq soldier

L/Cpl Paul Farrelly was killed by a roadside bomb

The family of a soldier killed in Iraq have spoken of their pride in him and devastation at his death.

Paul "Fas" Farrelly, 27, a father of three, and Lt Tom Mildinhall, 26, of the Queen's Dragoon Guards (Welsh Cavalry), died in Basra on Sunday.

L/Cpl Farrelly's mother Lyn Hurst, of Rhosneigr, Anglesey, said he was "taken from us too young and too soon".

His widow Natalie's father, Tony Jones, of Rhyl, Denbighshire, said: "He died doing the job he loved".

L/Cpl Farrelly and Lt Mildinhall, who was from Battersea, south London, were killed by a roadside bomb in Gizayza, north-west Basra, when they were on routine patrol in an armoured Land Rover.

L/Cpl Farrelly was born in Runcorn, Cheshire, and moved to Rhyl when he was 16. His widow Natalie is from Rhyl and they lived in the town before moving away with the Army.

He joined the Army in March 2002 and was judged top recruit during his basic training in Winchester. He was on his third deployment in Iraq, which began a month ago.

The Ministry of Defence said L/Cpl Farrelly was a "committed family man" who spoke "often and fondly" of his wife and their children, Reece, Morgan and Brooke.

We're all devastated, but we are extremely proud of Paul. He loved his job, he loved his wife his children and his family very much Lyn Hurst, Paul Farrelly's mother

In an emotional statement, L/Cpl Farrelly's mother said: "Words cannot express how I feel at the loss of a dear son, brother, father, husband and uncle.

"He's a very special and loving person in all our lives, taken from us too young and too soon.

"We're all devastated, but we are extremely proud of Paul. He loved his job, he loved his wife his children and his family very much.

"He will forever be in our hearts."

Mr Jones said: "One of the proudest moments of my life was going to his passing out parade in Winchester.

"You could see on his face how delighted he was at having succeeded and he was named best recruit on the day."

He added: "He made a decision to go into the army and we were all proud of him."

Rhyl mayor Brian Blakeley also paid tribute to the young soldier.

He said: "On behalf of the people of Rhyl, the town council and myself, I wish to express our deepest sympathies to L/Cpl Farrelly's family and his regimental colleagues.

He (L/Cpl Farrelly) embodied much of what is best about soldiers in the British Army Lt Col Pittman Commanding officer Family's tribute to son Crew 'were war veterans'

"It is difficult for anyone to imagine what Paul's young family must be feeling and it is clear from the comments of his commanding officer that Paul was a man of commitment and was dedicated to both the army and his family.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this sad time."

Friends of L/Cpl Farrelly also paid tribute to him.

Royce Parry, his manager at the Prestatyn Nova football team, said: "As a football manager and a chairman, I thought the world of him.

"Absolutely tremendous lad - always tried to help with regards to anything with the football.

"He was a superb footballer and always put 100% effort in. A born leader, always looking out for his team-mates, he's going to be sorely missed by all."

His commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Pittman said he stood out as a "natural leader".

Lt Tom Mildinhall also died in the attack on Sunday

"He embodied much of what is best about soldiers in the British Army: selfless, determined, humorous and steadfast in the face of adversity," he added.

Welsh Secretary Peter Hain paid tribute to the two men.

"The deaths of these two young soldiers serving in the Welsh Cavalry is a tragedy and a reminder to us all of the courage and dedication of our troops engaged in Iraq in very difficult circumstances," he said.

"I extend my deepest sympathy to their families, friends and colleagues."

The two soldiers bring the toll of British forces personnel to be killed in the Iraq war to 113. Nine have been killed this month, including five who died in a helicopter crash.