Heroines: Friend of Prince William and teenage nurse among blast victims
By MICHAEL SEAMARK and REBECCA ENGLISH
7th April 2007
Below are the two women soldiers killed by a roadside bomb near Basra.
Jo Dyer: The Oxford-educated officer was 'bright, ballsy and an absolute credit to the Army'
One, 24-year-old Joanna Dyer, trained with Prince Wiliam at Sandhurst and marched proudly alongside him at their passing-out parade just four months ago.
The other, Medical Corps Private Eleanor Dlugosz, 19 , from Southampton, was mourned yesterday as a caring girl devoted to helping others before herself.
Their deaths, and fresh revelations about the ordeal of sailor Faye Turney in Iran, last night threw the spotlight on to the role of women in the armed forces.
Prince William was said to be "absolutely devastated" by the news of his friend's death with three other soldiers when an Iranian-made bomb blasted their Warrior armoured vehicle.
His spokesman said: "Jo was a close friend of his at Sandhurst and he is very much thinking of her family and friends right now. They will remain in his thoughts and prayers."
A friend of the prince said: "Her death is especially resonant for William as his brother Harry is only a few weeks away from deployment to Iraq himself.
Family man: Corporal Kris O'Neill with his wife Tina and twins Adam and Conner
"Jo was bright, ballsy and an absolute credit to the army. She was one of a small number of women at Sandhurst but she stood out a mile through her skill and professionalism."
Private Dlugosz, known as Ella or DZ to her comrades, was providing medical support to the patrol.
Her commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Martin Toney, said: "DZ was one of those soldiers who, despite a degree of shyness and a natural reticence, always surprised with her guts and determination."
The other soldiers who died were named as Corporal Kris O'Neill, 27, from the Royal Army Medical Corps, and Kingsman Adam Smith, 19. A Kuwaiti interpreter was also killed in the blast, which left a fifth British soldier seriously wounded.
Prince William is said to be 'absolutely devastated' by the death of Second Lieutenant Joanna Dyer, who was in his company at Sandhurst
The attack will renew concerns about Prince Harry's safety when he leaves for his six-month tour of duty next month.
Iraqi police confirmed Friday that the roadside bomb which killed the soldiers was an Iranian-made device known as an Explosively Formed Projectile. It is designed not only to penetrate armour but to blast shrapnel inside its target.
Ominously, it was the first time such a bomb had been used against British forces in southern Iraq, although U.S. troops further north have been targeted.
It was remotely triggered by Iranian-backed Shia militants as the British patrol returned to base. Two more such bombs were found hidden in the area yesterday.
The blast came less than 24 hours after Iran's President Ahmadinejad had freed 15 British hostages, cynically describing his propaganda coup as an Easter gift to Britain.
Lieutenant Dyer had arrived in Iraq earlier this year. Born in Berlin, she was educated at Loughborough High School before reading philosophy, politics and economics at Oxford.
She joined Prince William for officer training at the beginning of 2006. As a member of the same Blenheim company she would have "eaten, worked, lived and socialised" with the royal soldier, according to a source at the college.
She was commissioned into the Intelligence Corps in December and attached to the 2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's regiment to gain experience helping plan ground operations in Iraq.
The Ministry of Defence described her as an "'enthusiastic and charming officer" who quickly made her mark in a post normally reserved for more experienced officers.
Eleanor Dlugosz: 'A privilege to know' and Kingsman Adam Smith, 19
Her commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Mark Kenyon, said: "From a very early stage it was evident Jo was a talented and energetic officer who was determined to make the most of her deployment.
"Her enthusiasm was boundless and her contribution to our operations, even within a few short weeks, was invaluable. We very quickly came to think of her as one of us.
A colleague said: "Jo was a genuinely selfless person who seized every chance to get involved. She had a thirst for knowledge and embraced every challenge of being on an operational tour with us.
"She always amazed us with the amount of mail she received - testament to just how loved and popular she was. She always spoke with great pride of her family and friends back home.
"She will be remembered as a girl who could light up a room. We will sorely miss her and her infectious smile."
Lt Dyer's family home, where her parents Christopher and Ann live, is a large detached house in the Somerset village of Hardington Mandeville, near Yeovil.
The Friends Reunited website still carries an entry she posted in August 2004. She wrote: "I've just finished my second year at Oxford which is wicked - mostly playing hockey and getting smashed, and am enjoying studying Politics a worrying amount.
"Don't ever want a proper job, but the millionaire husband is as elusive as ever. Am still living down in the southwest, and I think we're due for another move soon, so I mostly hide out in Oxford, with the occasional day release to Loughborough or London for kicks. Life's all good."
Pte Dlugosz was based in Catterick in North Yorkshire, but grew up in Southampton.
Her friend and colleague, Pte Stella Lee, said: "Ella was a caring girl who enjoyed being a medic.
Helping others before herself was who she was. She brightened up everybody's day with her cheesy smile. She was a privilege to work with and know and she will always be in our hearts."
Kingsman Adam James Smith, from the Isle of Man, was serving with the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment and had been in Basra since November. Comrades described him as dependable, cheerful and courageous. He entered the Army in 2004 and joined the reconnaissance platoon of the regiment's 2nd Battalion last year.
Colour Sergeant Skelton said: "Kingsman Adam Smith was such a big character, always had a smile on his face and a sparkle in his big blue eyes."
Captain Mike Peel added: "Kingsman Smith was a soldier with an irrepressible sense of humour.
"He was thoroughly popular throughout the battalion and especially in the reconnaissance platoon, where his cheerful nature marked him out as a constant source of morale and strength in times of difficulty."
Medical Corps Corporal Kris O'Neill, was a father of two who had been in Basra only since January.
The 27-year-old lived in Catterick, North Yorkshire with his wife, Tina and three-year-old twins Adam and Conner and was described as a devoted family man.
His friend and colleague Cpl Martin Blaker-Hood said: "Kris was pleasant, hard-working and very well respected. He loved his family and was a really good bloke. His death is a big loss."
Colonel Toney said: "Cpl O'Neill was a reflective and utterly dependable soldier who used his maturity and common sense to great effect, becoming the squadron's 'safe pair of hands'.
"He would turn his hand to all sorts of things, including helping to rebuild Iraq by training the police service, and was a key player in the unit.
"My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends, especially his wife and children, at this hugely difficult time."
dailynail.co.uk
By MICHAEL SEAMARK and REBECCA ENGLISH
7th April 2007
Below are the two women soldiers killed by a roadside bomb near Basra.
Jo Dyer: The Oxford-educated officer was 'bright, ballsy and an absolute credit to the Army'
One, 24-year-old Joanna Dyer, trained with Prince Wiliam at Sandhurst and marched proudly alongside him at their passing-out parade just four months ago.
The other, Medical Corps Private Eleanor Dlugosz, 19 , from Southampton, was mourned yesterday as a caring girl devoted to helping others before herself.
Their deaths, and fresh revelations about the ordeal of sailor Faye Turney in Iran, last night threw the spotlight on to the role of women in the armed forces.
Prince William was said to be "absolutely devastated" by the news of his friend's death with three other soldiers when an Iranian-made bomb blasted their Warrior armoured vehicle.
His spokesman said: "Jo was a close friend of his at Sandhurst and he is very much thinking of her family and friends right now. They will remain in his thoughts and prayers."
A friend of the prince said: "Her death is especially resonant for William as his brother Harry is only a few weeks away from deployment to Iraq himself.
Family man: Corporal Kris O'Neill with his wife Tina and twins Adam and Conner
"Jo was bright, ballsy and an absolute credit to the army. She was one of a small number of women at Sandhurst but she stood out a mile through her skill and professionalism."
Private Dlugosz, known as Ella or DZ to her comrades, was providing medical support to the patrol.
Her commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Martin Toney, said: "DZ was one of those soldiers who, despite a degree of shyness and a natural reticence, always surprised with her guts and determination."
The other soldiers who died were named as Corporal Kris O'Neill, 27, from the Royal Army Medical Corps, and Kingsman Adam Smith, 19. A Kuwaiti interpreter was also killed in the blast, which left a fifth British soldier seriously wounded.
Prince William is said to be 'absolutely devastated' by the death of Second Lieutenant Joanna Dyer, who was in his company at Sandhurst
The attack will renew concerns about Prince Harry's safety when he leaves for his six-month tour of duty next month.
Iraqi police confirmed Friday that the roadside bomb which killed the soldiers was an Iranian-made device known as an Explosively Formed Projectile. It is designed not only to penetrate armour but to blast shrapnel inside its target.
Ominously, it was the first time such a bomb had been used against British forces in southern Iraq, although U.S. troops further north have been targeted.
It was remotely triggered by Iranian-backed Shia militants as the British patrol returned to base. Two more such bombs were found hidden in the area yesterday.
The blast came less than 24 hours after Iran's President Ahmadinejad had freed 15 British hostages, cynically describing his propaganda coup as an Easter gift to Britain.
Lieutenant Dyer had arrived in Iraq earlier this year. Born in Berlin, she was educated at Loughborough High School before reading philosophy, politics and economics at Oxford.
She joined Prince William for officer training at the beginning of 2006. As a member of the same Blenheim company she would have "eaten, worked, lived and socialised" with the royal soldier, according to a source at the college.
She was commissioned into the Intelligence Corps in December and attached to the 2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's regiment to gain experience helping plan ground operations in Iraq.
The Ministry of Defence described her as an "'enthusiastic and charming officer" who quickly made her mark in a post normally reserved for more experienced officers.
Eleanor Dlugosz: 'A privilege to know' and Kingsman Adam Smith, 19
Her commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Mark Kenyon, said: "From a very early stage it was evident Jo was a talented and energetic officer who was determined to make the most of her deployment.
"Her enthusiasm was boundless and her contribution to our operations, even within a few short weeks, was invaluable. We very quickly came to think of her as one of us.
A colleague said: "Jo was a genuinely selfless person who seized every chance to get involved. She had a thirst for knowledge and embraced every challenge of being on an operational tour with us.
"She always amazed us with the amount of mail she received - testament to just how loved and popular she was. She always spoke with great pride of her family and friends back home.
"She will be remembered as a girl who could light up a room. We will sorely miss her and her infectious smile."
Lt Dyer's family home, where her parents Christopher and Ann live, is a large detached house in the Somerset village of Hardington Mandeville, near Yeovil.
The Friends Reunited website still carries an entry she posted in August 2004. She wrote: "I've just finished my second year at Oxford which is wicked - mostly playing hockey and getting smashed, and am enjoying studying Politics a worrying amount.
"Don't ever want a proper job, but the millionaire husband is as elusive as ever. Am still living down in the southwest, and I think we're due for another move soon, so I mostly hide out in Oxford, with the occasional day release to Loughborough or London for kicks. Life's all good."
Pte Dlugosz was based in Catterick in North Yorkshire, but grew up in Southampton.
Her friend and colleague, Pte Stella Lee, said: "Ella was a caring girl who enjoyed being a medic.
Helping others before herself was who she was. She brightened up everybody's day with her cheesy smile. She was a privilege to work with and know and she will always be in our hearts."
Kingsman Adam James Smith, from the Isle of Man, was serving with the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment and had been in Basra since November. Comrades described him as dependable, cheerful and courageous. He entered the Army in 2004 and joined the reconnaissance platoon of the regiment's 2nd Battalion last year.
Colour Sergeant Skelton said: "Kingsman Adam Smith was such a big character, always had a smile on his face and a sparkle in his big blue eyes."
Captain Mike Peel added: "Kingsman Smith was a soldier with an irrepressible sense of humour.
"He was thoroughly popular throughout the battalion and especially in the reconnaissance platoon, where his cheerful nature marked him out as a constant source of morale and strength in times of difficulty."
Medical Corps Corporal Kris O'Neill, was a father of two who had been in Basra only since January.
The 27-year-old lived in Catterick, North Yorkshire with his wife, Tina and three-year-old twins Adam and Conner and was described as a devoted family man.
His friend and colleague Cpl Martin Blaker-Hood said: "Kris was pleasant, hard-working and very well respected. He loved his family and was a really good bloke. His death is a big loss."
Colonel Toney said: "Cpl O'Neill was a reflective and utterly dependable soldier who used his maturity and common sense to great effect, becoming the squadron's 'safe pair of hands'.
"He would turn his hand to all sorts of things, including helping to rebuild Iraq by training the police service, and was a key player in the unit.
"My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends, especially his wife and children, at this hugely difficult time."
dailynail.co.uk
