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24/07/2007
Tributes paid to NI soldier
Tributes have been paid to Lance Corporal Timothy “Daz” Flowers, a Londonderry soldier killed in Basra, southern Iraq.
The 25-year-old died on Saturday from injuries suffered during an attack on Basra Palace, the last remaining British base in the city centre.
Lance Corporal Flowers, who served with the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers, had already resigned from the army but extended his service “to see the job through” according to Artificer Quarter Master Sergeant “Loz” Lee.
His commanding officer said: "However, it is testimony to the loyalty and courage of the man that he extended his service to see the job through, with his friends, regardless of his own personal situation. A natural mechanic, he was at his happiest on the Tank Park, spanner in hand. No job was too difficult or too much trouble. The diligent endeavour that he constantly displayed was as infectious as his cracking sense of humour."
The Ministry of Defence have said that during Saturday’s attack, Lance Corporal Flowers reacted quickly and carried out the correct drills but he was struck by shrapnel. He was working on a vehicle when a rocket or mortar hit the Basra Palace base.
Lance Corporal Flowers was attached to the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment and was serving with the Irish Guards Battle Group in Iraq following his induction to the Army in January 2003.
L/Cpl Flowers grew up in the Waterside area of Londonderry and former teacher David Funston said he was "totally devastated" by the death.
"I remember Darren as a very good student, he was a hard-working boy, and he was a bright boy. He was very personable and very popular with his peers and it really grieves me to hear that he has lost his life," he said.
L/Cpl Flowers' death brings the total number of British service personnel killed in Iraq to 163, with 127 of those killed in combat.
(SB/SP)
The 25-year-old died on Saturday from injuries suffered during an attack on Basra Palace, the last remaining British base in the city centre.
Lance Corporal Flowers, who served with the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers, had already resigned from the army but extended his service “to see the job through” according to Artificer Quarter Master Sergeant “Loz” Lee.
His commanding officer said: "However, it is testimony to the loyalty and courage of the man that he extended his service to see the job through, with his friends, regardless of his own personal situation. A natural mechanic, he was at his happiest on the Tank Park, spanner in hand. No job was too difficult or too much trouble. The diligent endeavour that he constantly displayed was as infectious as his cracking sense of humour."
The Ministry of Defence have said that during Saturday’s attack, Lance Corporal Flowers reacted quickly and carried out the correct drills but he was struck by shrapnel. He was working on a vehicle when a rocket or mortar hit the Basra Palace base.
Lance Corporal Flowers was attached to the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment and was serving with the Irish Guards Battle Group in Iraq following his induction to the Army in January 2003.
L/Cpl Flowers grew up in the Waterside area of Londonderry and former teacher David Funston said he was "totally devastated" by the death.
"I remember Darren as a very good student, he was a hard-working boy, and he was a bright boy. He was very personable and very popular with his peers and it really grieves me to hear that he has lost his life," he said.
L/Cpl Flowers' death brings the total number of British service personnel killed in Iraq to 163, with 127 of those killed in combat.
(SB/SP)
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