They were; Warrant Officer Class 2 Lee Hopkins, Royal Corps of Signals, Staff Sergeant Sharron Elliott of the Intelligence Corps, Corporal Ben Nowak of 45 Commando Royal Marines and Marine Jason Hylton of 539 Assault Squadron Royal Marines.

All died as a result of injuries sustained following the detonation of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) mounted on a bridge on the Shatt Al Arab River on the eastern edge of Basra City. The incident took place at approximately 1350 hrs local time. All were onboard a Rigid Raiding Craft (RRC) which was part of a routine boat patrol travelling north towards the Shatt Al Arab Hotel, a British Army base on the river. Three other UK service personnel sustained serious injuries in the attack.

Corporal Ben Nowak, 45 Commando Royal Marines

Corporal Ben Nowak, 27, lived in Liverpool and had a long term girlfriend. He joined the Royal Marines on 8 July 1996 at the age of 17 and joined 45 Commando Group Royal Marines (45 Cdo Gp RM) as a Rifleman on completion of recruit training. He spent only five months at 45 Commando Group Royal Marines before being drafted to 40 Commando Royal Marines (40 Cdo RM) where he served for three years, initially as a Rifleman and towards the end of his time there as a Section Second-in-Command.

He then served as a Section Second-in-Command at the Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines for two years. During this time he deployed to the Northern Arabian Gulf as part of the Fleet Standby Rifle Troop where he conducted boardings in support of anti-smuggling operations. In April 2003 he joined 40 Commando Royal Marines for a second time and it was during his time there that he attended and passed the aptitude tests to become a Physical Training Instructor.

He went on to attend and pass both a Junior Command Course and a Physical Training Instructors Course at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines before being promoted to Corporal. He subsequently remained at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines where he instructed recruits for two years before being drafted back to 45 Commando Group Royal Marines in July of this year.

He was then given the opportunity to deploy with 539 Assault Squadron Royal Marines to Iraq on Operation TELIC for which he volunteered. He was attached to 539 Assault Squadron Royal Marines in September and following a period of pre-deployment training flew into theatre at the beginning of this month.

Corporal Ben Nowak was an outgoing and gregarious individual who shall be remembered for his keen sense of humour. He was well liked by everyone that knew him and he constantly had a twinkle in his eye, symbolic of his enthusiasm and his love for his job. Corporal Ben Nowak lived for his sport; he was an outstanding footballer and he maintained a very high level of physical fitness. He was a keen supporter of Everton FC.

Most recently while attached to the Squadron, he shall be remembered for his circuit training sessions which he ran for the troop, one of which he conducted the day before he died. Corporal Ben Nowak was professionally capable and committed; there is no doubt that he had an outstanding career ahead of him in the Royal Marines. In spite of the relatively short time that he had been attached to the Squadron, having only joined in September, he made a deep and lasting impression on everyone. He will be sorely missed and his loss will be felt deeply by all those who were fortunate enough to know him.

Major Nathan Hale, Corporal Nowak’s Second-in-Command on 539 Assault Squadron Royal Marines, said:

"Corporal Ben Nowak was a warm and outgoing man who epitomised the qualities of a junior commander in the Royal Marines. Although an accomplished sportsman and Physical Training Instructor he was, first and foremost a Royal Marines Commando. He was attached to 539 Assault Squadron Royal Marines from 45 Commando Group as a volunteer for the Squadron’s operational tour to Iraq.

"Since joining the Royal Marines as a Junior Marine he set about creating a promising career. His love of sport led him to become a Physical Training Instructor since when he has continued to instil his passion in both Recruits and trained Royal Marines alike. With exemplary personal qualities and an abundance of potential for further command he was a tremendous asset to both his branch and the wider Service.

"We will best remember him for his constant good humour and his tremendous enthusiasm for physical training, although there may have been moments when we did not entirely appreciate him for it. This was no greater demonstrated than during the memorably tough physical training session that he ran for the Boat Group the day before he died.

"Our sympathy and thoughts go out to his partner and family at this awful time; we are all deeply saddened by this tragic loss. He will be sorely missed by his many friends from 45 Commando Group, 539 Assault Squadron and the wider Royal Marines family with whom he served."

Lieutenant Colonel Haydn White, Commanding Officer of 539 Assault Squadron Royal Marines, speaking from Royal Marines Turnchapel in Plymouth, added:

"It is with enormous sadness that we hear of the death of Corporal Ben Nowak. As a volunteer attached to 539 Assault Squadron Royal Marines for their tour of duty to Iraq his impact was significant. He brought from 45 Commando Royal Marines the highest levels of professionalism, physical fitness and enthusiasm and he had an immediate and lasting impact on all those he served with. Our thoughts are with his partner, family and friends at this very sad time."

Corporal Nowaks's family issued the following statement:

Cpl Nowak's mother Gillian Keary said:

"Ben always had a smile on his face and he was the sort of person who could make friends across the generations, he was popular with everyone.

"As soon as Ben came into your life he changed it for ever. He was the life and soul of the party and had dozens of friends, both at home and in Australia. He was a great family man and idolised his brother Sam. He liked nothing better than to be surrounded by his family.

"Ben lived for the Royal Marines and had always wanted to join. He took every opportunity to wear the uniform and was very proud to serve his country."

Cpl Nowak moved to Australia when he was seven and returned to the UK when he was 16 to have trials with Southampton Football Club.

He was a keen fan of Everton Football Club and helped train promising players at the club's academy.

Cpl Nowak's uncle Michael McEvatt added:

"When Ben's friends heard about his death, dozens of them turned up at my house to offer their condolences. There must have been around 70 people who wanted to say how much he meant to them.

"He was an extraordinary soldier and an extraordinary man."

Cpl Nowak held dual UK and Australian citizenship. He emigrated to Australia with his mother and returned to the UK to try to pursue a career in football. After having trials with Southampton, he joined the Royal Marines aged 17. He lived in the Speke area of Liverpool.