Free Republic

A British soldier has been killed in south Iraq after a military convoy was attacked, the Ministry of Defence says.Lt Karim Lueibi, of the Iraqi police, told AP news agency that a roadside bomb had exploded near the troops. An unknown number of casualties were airlifted from the scene in the Kahla area south of Amara on Sunday. Earlier this month, Anthony Wakefield became the 87th UK soldier to die during the conflict after a roadside bomb blast in the same area. The MoD says it is investigating the latest hostile action against UK forces and will not identify the...

A YOUNG British soldier who dragged his wounded platoon commander to safety and rescued 29 other soldiers under enemy fire in Iraq has been awarded the Victoria Cross, finally relieving Queenslander Keith Payne of his 36-year title as the most recent living recipient of the honour. Private Johnson Gideon Beharry, 25, is now one of just 14 living recipients of the award for exceptional bravery after pushing through an ambush in an armoured vehicle while the turret was on fire, in the town of al-Amarah, north of Basra, on May 1 last year. Far from being upset at losing his...