Iraq War: Thirteen North East soldiers who died

The 179 British soldiers who died in Iraq Credit: PA

  • Rifleman Aaron Lincoln

  • From: Durham

  • Age: 18

  • Died: April 2007

  • Served with: 2nd Battalion, The Rifles

Rifleman Aaron Lincoln, was conducting a security patrol in Basra with his platoon, when a gunman opened fire. His team was tasked to conduct a follow-up onto the suspected firing point but, as the team attempted to gain access to the building, shots were fired from a different direction. Rifleman Lincoln died as a result of his injuries.

Guardsman Anthony Wakefield Credit: MOD

  • Guardsman Anthony Wakefield

  • From: Newcastle

  • Age: 24

  • Died: May 2005

  • Served with: 1st Battalion, the Coldstream Guards

Guardsman Wakefield, a married father-of-three, died as a result of wounds sustained during a routine patrol in Al Amarah, Iraq.

L/Cpl Benjamin Hyde Credit: MOD

  • L/Cpl Benjamin Hyde

  • Age: 23

  • From: Northallerton

  • Died: June 2003

  • Served with: 156 Provost Company, Royal Military Police

L/Cpl Benjamin Hyde was one of six Royal Military Red Caps killed by an angry mob in Al Majar Al Kabir, near Basra.

Cpl Simon Miller Credit: MOD

  • Cpl Simon Miller

  • Age: 21

  • From: Washington

  • Died: June 2003

  • Served with: 156 Provost Company, Royal Military Police

Cpl Simon Miller was one of six Royal Military Red Caps killed by an angry mob in Al Majar Al Kabir, near Basra.

Cpl Paul Long Credit: MOD

  • Cpl Paul Long

  • Age: 24

  • From: South Shields

  • Died: June 2003

  • Served with: 156 Provost Company, Royal Military Police

Cpl Paul Long was one of six Royal Military Red Caps killed by an angry mob in Al Majar Al Kabir, near Basra.

Christopher Maddison Credit: MOD

  • Christopher Maddison

  • Age: 24

  • From: Scarborough

  • Died: March 2003

  • Served with: 9 Assault Squadron Royal Marines

Christopher was killed in action during fighting in the area of Basrah.

W/Officer Colin Wall Credit: MOD

  • W/Officer Colin Wall

  • Age: 34

  • From: County Durham

  • Died: August 2003

  • Served with: 150 Provost Company, Royal Military Police

father-of-three W/Officer Wall was killed alongside two colleagues when their civilian jeep was attacked by Iraqi fighters.

Cpl Kris O'Neill Credit: MOD

  • Cpl Kris O'Neill

  • From: Catterick

  • Age: 27

  • Died: April 2007

  • Served with: Royal Army Medical Corps

Cpl O'Neill was one of four British personnel killed following a roadside bomb attack against a Warrior Armoured Vehicle patrol west of Basra City.

  • Pte Mark Dobson

  • From: Darlington

  • Age: 41

  • Died: March 2005

  • Served with: B Company of the Tyne-Tees Regiment

Found dead in his accommodation at Basrah Air Station in March 2005.

Sgt Mark McLaren Credit: MOD

  • Sgt Mark McLaren

  • From: Ashington

  • Age: 27

  • Died: April 2007

  • Served with: Parachute Regiment

Father of twins Sgt McLaren died alongside Colour Sgt Mark Powell when two Puma helicopters crashed in Iraq on April 15 2007.

Pte Michael Tench Credit: MOD

  • Pte Michael Tench

  • Age: 18

  • From: Sunderland

  • Died: January 2007

  • Served with: A Company, 2nd Battalion The Light Infantry

Pte Tench was part of a Warrior patrol that had set out from an army base when an Improvised Explosive Device exploded.

Staff Sergeant Sharron Elliott Credit: MOD

  • Staff Sgt Sharron Elliott

  • Age: 34

  • From: South Shields

  • Died: November 2006

  • Served with: Intelligence Corps

Staff Sgt Elliott was one of four UK Service personnel killed in an attack on a Multi-National Forces boat patrol on the Shatt Al-Arab waterway.

Col Sgt John Cecil Credit: MOD

  • Col Sgt John Cecil

  • Age: 35

  • From: Gateshead

  • Died: March 2003

  • Served with: Royal Marines

Col Sgt Cecil was killed when a US Marine Corps CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter crashed south of the Kuwait border with US and UK personnel aboard; there were no survivors. Eight personnel from 3 Commando Brigade died in the accident, along with four US aircrew.