Warrant Officer Colin Wall leaves behind three children

Warrant Officer Colin Wall, 34, was on patrol in Basra when he died with two colleagues in an ambush.

He was stationed at Catterick Garrison and served in the 150 Provost Company, along with Major Matthew Titchener, who was also killed in the ambush.

The men were in a civilian four-wheel drive Nissan vehicle - part of an armed convoy of two vehicles - while making a routine journey from their base through a main street in Basra.

Unconfirmed reports said that gunmen threw a grenade at the soldiers' vehicle after shooting them.

Mr Wall's cousin John Harrison, described the soldier as a "true professional, who would be deeply missed".

Mr Harrison said: "He loved the Army, it's all he lived for.

'Loving son'

"It is difficult to talk about because the whole thing is so sad.

"I will always remember his sense of humour, he was such a funny lad."

In a statement issued by the Ministry of Defence, Mr Wall's parent Barry and Joan said: "Colin was a loving son and we are very proud of him.

"He loved his family and enjoyed spending time walking in the Weardales."

Mr Wall, from Crawleyside, near Stanhope, was married to Trish for almost eight years and have an 11-month-old son called Alexander.

The soldier also has two other children, Lauren, 12, and a son Robert, 10, from a previous marriage to Isabella.

The second in command of 150 Provost Company, Captain Sean O'Brien said: "Colin was the epitome of a Company Sergeant Major and made a real difference to the operational effectiveness of the Company.

'Difficult time'

"His untimely death is a blow to all in the Royal Military Police (RMP) family and to all those who worked closely with him.

"He had many friends and will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, parents and family at this difficult time."

Mr Wall enlisted into the Army in September 1985 and subsequently joined the RMP.

He served in Belize, Germany, Canada, Northern Ireland and England. He also completed operational tours of duty in Kosovo and Iraq.

Also killed in Saturday's ambush was Corporal Dewi Pritchard - a Territorial Army soldier from the 116 Provost Company.

The bodies of the dead will be flown home in next few days.