Soldier death fury (Army Corporal Killed on patrol in a civilian Rover)

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http://icbirmingham.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0100localnews/content_objectid=13330510_method=full_siteid=50002_headline=-Soldier-death-fury-name_page.html

Soldier death fury

Aug 25 2003

By Mark Cowan, Evening Mail

The grieving family of a Midland soldier killed in Iraq today demanded to know why he was on patrol in a civilian hire car.

Territorial Army Corporal Dewi Pritchard (pictured with wife Tracey and children Kira and Ethan) died along with two colleagues when their unprotected vehicle was ambushed during a routine trip in the southern city of Basra. The gunmen had made no attempt to attack an armoured Land Rover which was travelling with them on Saturday morning.

Cpl Pritchard, a 35-year-old Redcap based with the Royal Military Police at the 116 Provost Company in Carter’s Green, West Bromwich, was the first TA member to be killed following the recent conflict in Iraq. The other two soldiers who died were Warrant Officer Colin Wall and Major Matthew Titchener, both from 150 Provost in Catterick. A fourth soldier remained in hospital in a serious but stable condition.

Speaking on behalf of the soldier’s widow, a family spokesman said: “Dewi died a brave, professional and proud Territorial Army military policeman who served his country to his best. The family are very concerned to understand the tragic circumstances that led to Dewi’s death. There remain at this early stage many unanswered questions concerning personal protection and security arrangements for British troops in Basra.”