Lance Corporal Ryan Francis, 23, from Llanelli, known as 'Franky' by his friends, died instantly when his vehicle was *it by a roadside bomb attack in the Hay Al Mudhara district of Basra early on Sa ay morning. He was part of a Brigade operation to defeat insurgents who had been attacking British and Iraqi security forces. Franky was in the 2nd Battalion The Royal Welsh and was based with their Battle Group just outside Basra

Franky was the driver of a Warrior armoured fighting vehicle and a member of the Battle Group's elite Recce Platoon. He was a professional, brave and committed soldier who was the heart and soul of his Platoon. He had a fantastic sense of humour and was always at the centre of fun. There is no doubt that the Recce Platoon will be a quieter place without him. He was genuine, honest, frank but always witty, and he was much liked and respected by all.