Matthew Titchener's widow gives birth

Raqual Titchener, 28, whose husband Major Matthew Titchener died in August, gave birth at a hospital in Ayrshire on Sunday evening.

The couple, who had been married for six years and lived at the Royal Military Police barracks Catterick, North Yorkshire, already had a two-year-old son, Matheson.

The family of Major Titchener, who was 32 and from Southport, in Merseyside, have been visiting their new grandchild.

His mother Val, 55, said: "There were a few small complications, but both mother and baby are doing fine.

"As far as we know Raqual is going to call the baby Angel.

It is like having a little bit of Matthew back in some ways. Val Titchener, mother

"It is a very sad, but also a very happy time for all the family.

"It is like having a little bit of Matthew back in some ways; he would have loved to have a little girl."

Major Titchener, of 150 Provost Company, was one of three Red Caps who died after the unmarked vehicle they were travelling in was attacked during an operation in Basra in August this year.

Warrant Officer Colin Wall, 34, from Darlington, in County Durham and Corporal Dewi Pritchard, 35, from Bridgend, in south Wales were also killed.

A charity is being launched for the children of British servicemen and women killed in conflict, in memory of Major Titchener.