Tributes to ‘larger than life’ British soldier killed in Iraq missile attack

A British servicewoman killed in a missile attack on Camp Taji in Iraq has been named as Lance Corporal Brodie Gillon, 26.

Two Americans were also killed in the attack, in which 15 rockets hit the military camp on the evening of March 11. A dozen coalition personnel were injured. LCpl Gillon served as a Reserve with the Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry.

Her commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel William Leek, Commanding Officer Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry, said: ‘LCpl Brodie Gillon was a hugely popular character in the Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry and we are proud and humbled to have served with her in our ranks.

‘She was a larger than life soldier who was determined to deploy on operations, help others, develop herself and gain practical experience. She had already achieved a great deal in her relatively short time with us and it was abundantly clear that she was destined for great things in her civilian and military careers.

‘Her loss is keenly felt. My deepest condolences go to her family and loved ones. They are in my thoughts and prayers, and those of the wider Regimental family.’

LCpl Gillon’s s squadron leader Major Craig Powers described her as ‘an utterly professional soldier, an outstanding medic, and loyal friend to all in A (Ayrshire) Squadron’.

He continued: ‘She was a hugely popular and very much respected member of the Squadron. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Our thoughts and prayers are with her whole family.’

Within hours of the missile attack, air strikes reportedly began in an area of the Iraqi-Syrian border used as a compound by an Iran-backed militia group, raising fears of a fresh round of US-Iranian escalation.

The last time a US citizen was killed in a rocket attack on a coalition base, the Trump administration held Iran responsible. The subsequent escalation of conflict led to the assassination of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard commander, Qasem Soleimani and sparked global fears of a Third World War.

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