Lance Corporal Brady, 37, a Royal Army Medical Corps Regular Reservist attached to the 1st Battalion the Light Infantry, died as a result of wounds received from a mortar round fired at his base in northern Basra on the afternoon of Sunday, 1 October 2006.

Lance Corporal Dennis Brady

Lance Corporal Dennis Brady was born on 19 September 1969 and grew-up in Barrow-in-Furness. He was serving in Iraq as a reservist having left the Regular Army in 2004.

During his time in the Regular Army he served abroad on operational tours of Kosovo and was part of the combat phase of Operation TELIC in Iraq in 2003. He was an energetic soldier who volunteered for and passed 'P' Company, the airborne forces arduous selection course. He also trained as an Army Physical Training Instructor, a role he relished.

He left the Army to pursue a career in public service and, after some time in the Fire Service, he volunteered to return to the military, deploying to Afghanistan with the Royal Gurkha Rifles, and then, a few months later, to Iraq with the Light Infantry. This was his fourth operational tour.

'Den', as he was universally known, was a consummate professional dedicated to the service of others, regardless of the operational situation. In Afghanistan he served as a Team Medic to an eight man Gurkha team, spending long periods in the mountains and desert. During this time he is remembered for winning the absolute trust and admiration of the Gurkhas he served with, a rare accolade for a British soldier.

He then deployed to Iraq as the Company Medic for D Company, forming an instant bond with the Company and providing invaluable medical assistance. He was well known for being an ever-cheerful member of the Company Commander's vehicle crew, always demonstrating the highest possible personal standards.

Two nights before his death he deployed as a Team Medic on a successful patrol that surprised insurgents preparing to launch a rocket attack on his base. His participation in this, as in all things, was wholehearted, enthusiastic and professional.

A keen patron of the Company gym, he maintained an admirable level of fitness despite the heat of the Iraqi summer. He was a key figure in both the Medical Centre and the Company, and was renowned for his willingness to get the kettle on and make the 'brews'.

He was married to Zoe and was looking forward to returning to Barrow-in-Furness and the opportunities and challenges of civilian life. His Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Johnny Bowron, said:

"It is with the deepest regret that I have to announce the death of Lance Corporal Dennis Brady. In the relatively short time he had been with us he had become a full and trusted member of the Battalion, admired by all he met and with that rare gift of universal popularity.

"He will be remembered for his calm and unflappable nature whatever the circumstance. This approach, coupled with a high level of medical competence, allowed the soldiers of D Company to carry out their duties secure in the knowledge that if the worst was to happen they were in safe hands. His loss will be keenly felt, and the Battalion has lost a trusted member and a real friend.

"Lance Corporal Brady was armed with a dry sense of humour, and was always ready with a barrage of friendly banter, as well as always being prepared to offer brutally honest advice regardless of the recipient's rank – advice that was nearly always correct. This slightly gruff exterior masked a deep concern for his fellow soldiers and an abiding loyalty to his adopted military home. He had a real and positive impact on those with whom he worked and his passing will leave a gap in all our hearts."

Defence Secretary Des Browne added:

"It was with great sadness that I learned of the death of Lance Corporal Brady. I know that the British Forces feel they are making a real difference in Iraq and Lance Corporal Brady was part of this hugely important effort. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends."