Lance Corporal Paul Thomas

A member of the 2nd Battalion The Light Infantry, he was serving in southern Iraq attached to the 1st Battalion The Cheshire Regiment. Aged 29, he was single and came from Welshpool.

His platoon commander, Lieutenant Will Follett, said:

"Taff was a proud Welshman who had a passion for all sports. He was a keen rugby supporter as well as following his local football club, Shrewsbury Town, He was an immensely popular member of the platoon, widely regarded as its backbone, through his diligence, professionalism and unfaltering enthusiasm to the job and the soldiers under his command. His death has shocked the platoon, especially those soldiers who were with him when he died. He will be sorely missed and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and loved ones at this time."

The media are requested to respect his family's privacy at this very difficult time.