Basra bomb death soldier named

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The 35-year-old soldier, from the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment, died from injuries caused by an improvised explosive device in Basra, southern Iraq, on Tuesday night.

Cpl Edwards, known as Eddy to his friends, was on a routine patrol in the Mustashfa district of Basra City when his Warrior armoured vehicle was struck shortly before midnight local time. The latest death brings the total number of British service personnel who have died in Iraq since the 2003 invasion to 164.

The MOD said Cpl Edwards was checking the safety of the soldiers travelling in his vehicle at the time of the attack. He had been serving in Iraq since May and was often involved in operations in Basra City.

A member of Badger Squadron, 2nd Royal Tank Regiment, attached to the Irish Guards Battle Group, Cpl Edwards was working under the command of 4th Battalion The Rifles.

Cpl Edwards, from Sutton Coldfield, joined the Army in 1993 and had deployed on exercises all over the world. As well as serving in Iraq, he served on operations in Northern Ireland and the Balkans. He was due to be promoted to the rank of sergeant later this year at the end of his tour in Iraq.

Cpl Edwards leaves a wife, Gabriele, and an 18-month-old son, Ryan.

Lieutenant Colonel David Catmur, commanding officer of 2nd Royal Tank Regiment, praised Cpl Edwards, with whom he had worked for a number of years.

"He was a cheerful, enthusiastic man who was very proud to be a part of our regimental family," he said. "He was a 'Tankie' to the core: proud, loyal and professional with an excellent esprit de corps.

"His years of experience and kind-hearted nature will be a great loss to us all. Eddy epitomised all that is good about our soldiers, an example to all. Our thoughts now go to his wife, Gabriele, his son, Ryan, and his parents and family."