Dead soldier's twin back in Iraq

Corporal Will Rigby has rejoined his colleagues in the 4th Battalion the Rifles just three months after his brother John was killed.

Will, from Rye in East Sussex, saw his brother die on their 24th birthday after being injured by a roadside bomb.

John, who held the same rank as his brother in the same battalion, suffered serious head injuries on 22 June.

He had been providing "top cover" from the hatch of his armoured vehicle near Basra Palace when the device exploded.

Held his hand

He was flown to the field hospital at Basra airport by helicopter but the prognosis was bleak.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said he could not comment on the deployment of personnel, but sources confirmed that Will had decided to return to Iraq.

He will serve in Basra until November when the battalion is due to complete its tour of duty, The Sun newspaper reported.

Will held his brother's hand for 10 hours in the field hospital as his life ebbed away on the day they should have been celebrating their birthday.

He said: "It's a great comfort to me to have been by John's bedside when he passed away.

"I came into this world with John and, 24 years to the day, he left us."

'Brave decision'

Will said in July he would return to Iraq.

"It became very apparent to me and John when we arrived the good that the British soldiers are doing in Iraq.

"I have a job to do and I am a serving soldier. Where they say, I go. When I feel ready, I shall go back."

John learned two weeks before his death that he was due to be promoted to sergeant. The twins joined the Army when they were 16 after setting their sights on military careers from the age of four.

Will's commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Sanders, told The Sun: "Corporal Will Rigby is now with his regimental family in Basra. It is fantastic to see him back. All of us in 4 Rifles have been very humbled by his brave decision to return."