05/11/2004

MoD names Black Watch soldiers killed in bomb attack

Three soldiers from the 1st Battalion of the Black Watch have been killed in a suicide bomb attack close to the regiment's new base of Camp Dogwood, 20 miles south the Iraqi capital Baghdad.

The MoD has confirmed that Sergeant Stuart Gray, 31, Private Paul Lowe, 19, and Private Scott McArdle, 22, were killed yesterday after a suicide car-bomb attack on the checkpoint they were manning. An Iraqi interpreter was also killed during the incident.

The four men, who were part of a detachment sent out to retrieve a Warrior armoured vehicle that had broken down near Fallujah, were killed instantly.

The unit then came under sustained mortar attack which resulted in further casualties.

It has been reported that eight soldiers were wounded. Two were hospitalised, but it is expected that they will be discharged later today. US forces in the area reportedly helped to provide urgent medical support at the scene.

Sergeant Gray, who was married, and Privates Lowe and McArdle, who were both single, came from Fife in Scotland. The Iraqi interpreter had postponed his wedding to travel with the British troops; he died on the day the ceremony had been due to take pace.

The MoD has said that the bodies of the three Scots soldiers will be returned home next week. Yesterday's tragic events brings to six the number of Black Watch soldiers killed since the beginning of hostilities in March last year.

The battalion's commander, Lt Colonel James Cowan, said that it had been a "painful blow". However, he reaffirmed the unit's commitment to fulfilling their tasks during the 30-day deployment at Camp Dogwood.

Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram relayed details of the incident to the House of Commons last night.

He told the House: "I very much regret that I can confirm to the House that, in an attack on British forces in the Black Watch area of operations, we have suffered a number of casualties, including three fatalities.

He added: "I know I speak for the whole House when I say that our thoughts are with our soldiers and their loved ones."

The Black Watch are part of an 850-strong UK battlegroup sent north at the request of US commanders.

(gmcg/sp)

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