MoD names latest British soldier to die in Iraq

The latest death in Iraq has prompted fresh fears for the safety of Prince Harry.

It brings the total number of British fatalities this month to 12.

The figure is the highest in a single month since March 2003, when 27 were killed in the opening days of the war.

Prince Harry is expected to leave for Iraq within the next few days. He is expected to serve as troop commander to 11 soldiers carrying out reconnaissance work using Scimitar armoured vehicles.

Rifleman Donnachie was killed by an opportunist gunman as he checked part of the patrol's route.

Major Alex Baring, his Company Commander, said:

"Rifleman Donnachie, or 'Donny' as he was known to his mates, was the epitome of what it is to be professional. Born and bred in Reading, the Army was his life. He only arrived from training in December as a Royal Gloucestershire Berkshire and Wiltshire Light Infantry recruit.

"All those who trained with him remember how studious he was. He'd absorb everything he was taught like a sponge – earning him the nickname 'Potter'. Out here in Basra City, he was one of those rare sorts that never complained whatever he was told to do; in fact he used to volunteer to go out on patrols. He never wanted to be away from where the action was. For an 18-year-old that's pretty impressive."

Major David Gell, a British military spokesman in Basra, spoke of his 'deep regret' at the latest soldier's death. 'This has been a particularly hard month for us,' he said. The soldier, from the 2nd Battalion The Rifles, was shot at 9.30am yesterday after he had dismounted from his Bulldog vehicle in the Al-Ashar district of Basra.

He was immediately evacuated to a British base but died later of his injuries.

His killing brings the total British death toll to 146.

Major Gell added that the attack was an 'opportunist small arms fire attack' and that British soldiers were not looking at a new threat.

He also dismissed the suggestion that British forces were led into a trap by the Iraqi police training team it was helping to move into Al- Ashar.

He added: 'We are committed to enhancing the security of the region, supporting the Iraqi Security Forces.

'An incident like this, tragic as it is, will make us pull together and recognise that we have a job to do out here.'

Military analysts claim that local Shiite militias are increasing their attacks so that they can claim victory when British troops reduce their numbers in June. It is thought the current UK force of 7,000 will be cut to about 5,500.

Since the start of the month, British bases have been struck almost daily by mortar fire. There has also been an increase in the number of patrols hit by roadside bombs and machine gun fire.

The latest death also comes just weeks after four soldiers died - including two women - when their Warrior armoured vehicle was blown up by a roadside bomb.

An attack on April 19 which killed Corporal Ben Leaning, 24, and Trooper Kristen Turton, 28, travelling in a Scimitar armoured vehicle, was feared to be a dry run by insurgents for an assault on the Prince, who will be undertaking similar reconnaissance operations.

Major Gell refused to be drawn on whether Iraq was too dangerous for Prince Harry, who is expected to serve a sixmonth tour of Iraq as a Second- Lieutenant with his Blues and Royals regiment.

The prince is likely to be targeted by Sunni groups, who want him as a 'target prize'.

Leading figures in the Iraqi government have urged him not to serve - as have some UK politicians. The decision whether or not to deploy him lies with the head of the Army, General Sir Richard Dannatt.

Another worrying development in Basra is the increased use of car bombs. Five people were killed and ten injured last night when a device exploded in the city.