By Ralph Barnett

FOR THE second time in less than a month the people of Arbroath yesterday woke up to the grim realisation that a serviceman from 45 Commando Group had paid the ultimate price for the UK’s involvement in the trouble-torn Middle East.

One of the four British troops who died when their patrol boat was blown up on the Shatt al-Arab waterway in the southern Iraqi city of Basra was said by the Ministry of Defence to have been a member of the RM Condor-based unit and attached to the Royal Marines’ 539 Assault Squadron.

Another member of 539 Assault Squadron also lost his life in Sunday’s attack, along with members of the Royal Corps of Signals and the Intelligence Corps.

The attack came just over three weeks after Marine Gary Wright of 45 Commando Group was killed when a suicide bomber targeted his patrol in southern Afghanistan.

Following the attack, which also left three servicemen injured—two of them very seriously—weapons experts launched an investigation into the nature of what was described as the ‘improvised bomb’ which was used in the incident.

Early reports from the MoD yesterday stated two of the dead were from the RM Condor unit, but this was later retracted with the announcement that the two Marines who died were members of 539 Assault Squadron, which is also part of 3 Commando Brigade.

The families of the dead and injured have been informed, and it is expected that their names will be released today.

Angus MP Mike Weir said yesterday morning, “Obviously this is absolutely horrendous news, coming so soon after the death of Marine Gary Wright in Afghanistan. It shows clearly the terrible dangers we are putting our troops into.

“There is also a horrible irony that this happened on Remembrance Sunday when we were all out paying tribute to the dead of previous conflicts.

“At this time our thoughts must be with the families of those who have died and also those who have been wounded, and to join with them in hoping that their sons will recover from their terrible injuries.”

While saying this was not the time to comment on the presence of British service personnel in the Middle East, Mr Weir added, “This situation just seems to be going from bad to worse but, at a time when families are grieving for service people who have been killed in the most terrible circumstances, I would not want to be making any political statement. All our thoughts must simply be with the families of those involved in this tragedy.”

Commenting later on the initially conflicting information issued in relation to the attack, he said, “I am appalled that the MoD put out inaccurate information on the units with which these men served. It is important that accurate information is put out, otherwise it can cause quite unnecessary grief and worry to service families and also to the local community which has such strong connections with 45 Commando Group.

“This is an appalling blunder and I find it absolutely shocking.

“I can remember when 45 Commando first went out to Afghanistan that I raised this very issue at Prime Minister’s Questions. I made the point then that, when information is being issued about service personnel being killed on operational duties and that information is not backed up by accurate details of which units they belong to, it can cause untold worry to service families.

“That this has not happened here I find utterly unbelievable.”

Angus councillor Jennifer Speirs, whose ward includes the RM Condor base, said, “My thoughts go out to the families of those who have been killed and injured.

“People in Arbroath regard the Marines as part of the community and will be grieving over the losses.

“They have had a presence in the town for as long as I can remember and their families are accepted as part of Arbroath.”

North East Scotland MSP Alex Johnstone said, “My deepest sympathies go out to the family and friends of those killed and injured at this very difficult time.

“We are deeply indebted to the men and women of our armed forces serving in difficult conditions abroad, and the tragic passing of these young men highlights the dangers that our troops face on a daily basis whilst doing their duty.”

A spokesman for the MoD later stressed that the next of kin of those who were killed and injured in the incident had been informed prior to any announcement being made to the media, but also apologised for any concern or confusion resulting from the information contained in the early reports.

Sunday’s attack took place shortly before 1pm local time as the crew of the boat were engaged in what was described as a routine patrol along the waterway.

Members of the multi- national force in Iraq have been using the waterway since 2003 and, until the weekend, it had been viewed as a relatively safe way of transporting equipment and personnel.

Sunday’s incident is believed to have been the first such attack on a patrol boat carrying British personnel.

The 539 Assault Squadron was formed in 1984 with the aim of providing 3 Commando Brigade with an integral amphibious movement capability, in direct response to lessons learned during the Falklands conflict in 1982.

The squadron, based near Plymouth, has a strength of over 100 personnel and is equipped with a variety of landing craft, including hovercraft, rigid raiders and inflatables.

During the Falklands campaign the squadron’s forerunner unit carried out operations to support advance forces, including numerous covert landings of Special Boat Squadron and Special Air Service troops.

The majority of 45 Commando Group’s strength—some 500 personnel—is concentrated in Helmand province of Afghanistan as part of 3 Commando Brigade’s contribution to Operation Herrick 5.

Much of their work involves working alongside the new Afghan National Army in an effort to help the country’s government progress towards taking over their own security arrangements and providing protection for engineers conducting reconstruction work in the province and in the capital Kabul.

Individuals and small groups, however, are also involved in specialist duties elsewhere in Afghanistan and in Iraq.