Defence ministry names soldiers killed in Iraq

LONDON, May 15 (Reuters) The Ministry of Defence named the two British soldiers killed in a roadside bomb attack in southern Iraq last week as Private Joseva Lewaicei and Private Adam Morris of the Royal Anglian Regiment.

The two were on routine patrol in a convoy of armoured landrovers on Saturday night when they were killed.

Lewaicei, 25, who was born in Fiji and leaves a 7-year-old daughter, was described by his commanding officer as the soul of his platoon.

''He will be sorely missed by his friends and the wider regimental family,'' said Lieutenant Colonel Des O'Driscoll.

''Immensely strong, his colleagues will remember with some glee the day he was finally beaten in an arm wrestle by their platoon sergeant, although he always maintained he let him win.'' Morris, 19, had joined the army from school and was said to be an accomplished soldier with great potential.

''Adam's loss has touched and saddened all of us who had the honour to know him,'' O'Driscoll said.

The deadly attack on the convoy came a week after a British military helicopter crashed in Basra, killing all five personnel on board. The army is investigating whether it was shot down.

Today, four British soldiers were wounded after insurgents fired up to 40 mortars at a British base in Abu Naji in southern Iraq.

None was seriously injured.

REUTERS SHB ND1752