HEARTBROKEN
By Andy Davey

THE FRIENDS of a popular Dorset soldier who was killed in Iraq at the weekend comforted him as he lay dying from his wounds.

Corporal Chris Read, from Wool, was badly wounded by small arms fire in the early hours of Saturday morning, while returning from a mission to detain suspected insurgents in Basra.

The brave 22-year-old, of 158 Provost Company, part of 3 Regiment Royal Military Police, who studied at Corfe Hills School in Broadstone, was taken to the Field Hospital at Basra Air Station, but died of his wounds during the night.

Commanding officer of 3 Regiment Royal Military Police Lieutenant Colonel Simon Miller told how Cpl Read leaves behind "some very close friends, all of whom were able to comfort him during his last few hours".

"The regiment is heartbroken," Lt Col Miller said. "Chris was just 22 years old.

"Chris was a rising star. He was a warm and modest young man with a wicked sense of fun."

advertisement"Chris was also a brave soldier, always volunteering to be in the thick of it.

"He would never shirk from danger.

"Chris leaves a loving and supporting mother and father and extended family and our heartfelt sympathy goes out to them at this difficult time."

Yesterday, friends and colleagues paid tribute to Corporal Read, who was originally from Poole and was known for his love of cars. They also joked about his sometimes poor taste in DVDs.

His current platoon commander Lieutenant Dave Wilton, said: "Finding words to describe exactly how Chris has touched your life is difficult. Whatever is said or put down in words could never do Chris justice.

"I can only pass on thoughts that I have experienced over the last 48 hours while sitting by Chris' side.

"Times like this make you think you can never fully appreciate something until it is taken from you."

The lieutenant told how Cpl Read, who was on his second tour to Iraq, was looking forward to buying his dream car, a Ford Cosworth, on his return home and was hoping to extend his posting at Bulford to be close to his mother.

Alan Hinchliffe, headmaster of Corfe Hills School, where Chris studied from 1998 to 2002, said: "All of those who knew him when he was a member of Corfe Hills School send their deepest sympathy to his family."

10.07.2007
http://www.thisisdorset.net/

HEARTBROKEN
By Andy Davey

THE FRIENDS of a popular Dorset soldier who was killed in Iraq at the weekend comforted him as he lay dying from his wounds.

Corporal Chris Read, from Wool, was badly wounded by small arms fire in the early hours of Saturday morning, while returning from a mission to detain suspected insurgents in Basra.

The brave 22-year-old, of 158 Provost Company, part of 3 Regiment Royal Military Police, who studied at Corfe Hills School in Broadstone, was taken to the Field Hospital at Basra Air Station, but died of his wounds during the night.

Commanding officer of 3 Regiment Royal Military Police Lieutenant Colonel Simon Miller told how Cpl Read leaves behind "some very close friends, all of whom were able to comfort him during his last few hours".

"The regiment is heartbroken," Lt Col Miller said. "Chris was just 22 years old.

"Chris was a rising star. He was a warm and modest young man with a wicked sense of fun."

advertisement"Chris was also a brave soldier, always volunteering to be in the thick of it.

"He would never shirk from danger.

"Chris leaves a loving and supporting mother and father and extended family and our heartfelt sympathy goes out to them at this difficult time."

Yesterday, friends and colleagues paid tribute to Corporal Read, who was originally from Poole and was known for his love of cars. They also joked about his sometimes poor taste in DVDs.

His current platoon commander Lieutenant Dave Wilton, said: "Finding words to describe exactly how Chris has touched your life is difficult. Whatever is said or put down in words could never do Chris justice.

"I can only pass on thoughts that I have experienced over the last 48 hours while sitting by Chris' side.

"Times like this make you think you can never fully appreciate something until it is taken from you."

The lieutenant told how Cpl Read, who was on his second tour to Iraq, was looking forward to buying his dream car, a Ford Cosworth, on his return home and was hoping to extend his posting at Bulford to be close to his mother.

Alan Hinchliffe, headmaster of Corfe Hills School, where Chris studied from 1998 to 2002, said: "All of those who knew him when he was a member of Corfe Hills School send their deepest sympathy to his family."

10.07.2007
http://www.thisisdorset.net/