Corporal Dewi Pritchard is pictured with his wife, Tracey, daughter Kira, and son, Ethan

But they have also said there are "unanswered questions" about security for British forces following the death of Corporal Dewi Pritchard, 35, from Bridgend, south Wales.

The father-of-two, was one of three military police who died on Saturday when their civilian 4x4 vehicle was ambushed by gunmen in the southern Iraq city of Basra.

Corporal Pritchard, who was serving with 116 Provost Company of the 19 Mechanised Brigade, is the second Welsh military policeman and fourth Welsh soldier to be killed in Iraq.

His wife, Tracey, is being comforted by friends and family at home with the couple's children Kira, six, and Ethan, two.

BRITISH DEATHS IN HOSTILE ACTION SINCE 1 MAY 23 Aug: Three Royal Military Police officers die in Basra city centre ambush 14 Aug: Captain David Jones killed in bomb attack on ambulance in Basra 24 June: Six Royal Military Police officers apparently killed by angry locals while searching for weapons in Majar al-Kabir, north of Basra Six British military police killed

A family spokesman said: "The loss of Dewi has come as a devastating shock to all the family.

"His tragic death in Basra robs his beloved wife Tracey of a husband and his children Kira and Ethan of a father.

"Dewi's father Tony, mother Mair and brother Paul are deeply shocked and distressed.

"Dewi died a brave, professional and proud Territorial Army military policeman who served his country to his best.

"Dewi had only returned to Basra last Friday having been home on leave for six days.

"The family are very concerned to understand the tragic circumstances that led to Dewi's death.

"There remains at this early stage many unanswered questions concerning personal protection and security arrangements for British troops in Basra."

Corporal Dewi Pritchard, who is thought to be the first Territioral Army soldier to be killed

An army spokesman said Corporal Pritchard had been in Iraq since before June.

He said: "The family are all very upset but they are making plans to go to RAF Brize Norton to see the body being brought back off the plane."

Corporal Pritchard was described as a respected and "well-liked" person in the area.

Neighbour Robert Scanlan said: "He was well-liked person who would do anything to help and really enjoyed being in the TA.

"He liked to keep fit and we would often see him running. It's a terrible tragedy especially as his children are so young. My heart goes out to Tracey - she must be devastated."

Staff at the electronics giant Bosch factory where Corporal Pritchard worked were shocked to hear the news of his death.

'Genade attack'

A spokesman said: "We are all very sorry at this tragic incident and offer our condolences to his family."

Witnesses in Basra said gunmen in a pick-up truck opened fire and threw a grenade as the troops were leaving their base.

A fourth soldier survived the assault.

He has been taken to hospital where his condition has been described as "stable".

On August 14, Captain David Martyn Jones, 29, died in Basra when his military ambulance was ambushed in a remote-controlled bomb attack.

In June, Lance Corporal Thomas Keys from north Wales was the youngest of six soldiers killed by angry locals while searching for weapons in Majar al-Kabir, north of Basra.

And Lance Bombardier Llywelyn Evans, 24, of Llandudno, died when a US helicopter crashed on the first day of the war.