UK soldier killed in Iraq named

Lieutenant Tom Tanswell, 27, of 58 Battery 12 Regiment Royal Artillery, was killed on Friday outside Shaibah Logistics Base near the city of Basra.

Three other soldiers were hurt in the accident, the MoD said.

The Londoner's next of kin has been informed. His death takes the number of British service personnel who have died since the start of hostilities to 120.

Ninety died in action. The rest of the deaths were accidents or of natural causes, illness, remain unexplained, or are still under investigation.

After the incident, in which a military snatch Land Rover collided with a civilian vehicle, Defence Secretary Des Browne said: "It was with deep regret that I learned that a soldier has tragically died in a road traffic accident near Basra.

'A fine officer'

"My thoughts and deepest sympathies are with his friends, family and comrades."

Mr Tanswell was directly responsible in Iraq for 12 men, manning three vehicles, and he frequently escorted Danish military police.

His commanding officer in Iraq, Major Marcus Tivey, said: "Professionally Tom was a fine officer, who always looked out for his men.

"He was leading from the front when he was killed, which typified the way he conducted himself."

Mr Tanswell had applied for a flight grading, with a view to becoming a helicopter pilot.