Captain Richard Holmes and Private Lee Ellis killed in Iraq

1 Mar 06

It is with great sadness and regret that the Ministry of Defence has confirmed the deaths of Captain Richard John Holmes and Private Lee Ellis in Al Amarah, Iraq on Tuesday 28 February 2006.

Captain Holmes and Private Ellis, from 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, were attached to the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards in Al Amarah, Maysaan Province. They were killed when a roadside bomb exploded as they conducted a routine patrol. Tributes have today been paid to the two soldiers by their Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel James Chiswell.

Private Lee Ellis
Private Lee Ellis was born on 24th January 1983.  He lived in Wythenshawe, Manchester with his fiancée Sarah and his daughter Courtney.
Private Ellis joined the Army in September 2003 and completed his basic training at the Infantry Training Centre (Catterick).  In April 2004 he joined D Company, the Second Battalion The Parachute Regiment. Suffering from an injury in 2005, he showed typical fortitude and determination to recover.  He deployed to Iraq in October 2005 with D Company and operated in Maysaan Province as part of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Battle Group.

Private Lee Ellis
Picture: MOD
Private Ellis was a keen sportsman. An apprentice with Wigan Athletic Football Club, he gave up a career in professional football to join The Parachute Regiment. A committed Manchester City supporter; he made every effort to watch each televised match. An equally keen boxer, he looked forward to representing his Company and the Battalion on its return to Colchester.

Private Lee Ellis was not only a comrade but a close friend to many. He will be sorely missed by all those who were privileged to serve with and know him. Our thoughts are with his family and young daughter.

Lieutenant Colonel Chiswell said of Private Ellis:

"Bright, enthusiastic and immensely popular, Private Ellis displayed all the qualities of a first class Paratrooper. His strength of character and dedication were reflected in his determination to overcome injury and to join his friends and comrades on operations in southern Iraq.
"His comradeship stood out; he was always willing to help others, and invariably did so with a smile on his face. Hardworking, professional and with an irrepressible sense of humour, he showed enormous compassion in his dealing with the local Iraqis he encountered, whether they were Police, civilians or children.
"He was a natural team player who always looked out for others and who was always upbeat and focused. Above all else he was a total professional, dedicated to his task. He made a genuine difference in Iraq.
"Private Ellis was an outstanding soldier, comrade and friend. He will be sorely missed by all those who have served with him and our thoughts are with his fiancée and family."

The family of Private Ellis issued the following statement:

"We are proud of Lee and of the fact, as was he, that he was in the Army and the Parachute Regiment."

The media are asked to respect the families' privacy at this time.

Two British soldiers killed in Iraq repatriated to RAF Brize Norton

9 Mar 06

The bodies of Captain Richard John Holmes and Private Lee Ellis, both of 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, were repatriated to RAF Brize Norton on Thursday 9 March 2006. 

Captain Holmes and Private Ellis, from 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, were attached to the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards in Al Amarah, Maysaan Province. They were killed when a roadside bomb exploded as they conducted a routine patrol on 28 February 2006.

Major General Mark Mans, Deputy Adjutant General, was the senior Army representative at the ceremony, also attended by families and relatives of the soldiers.

A bugler from the Band of the Parachute Regiment played the Last Post and Reveille as the coffins of his fallen comrades were carried from the aircraft by members of the Regimental Bearer Party. The various ceremonial elements were coordinated by WO1 (RSM) Donald of the Scots Guards, Regimental Sergeant Major All Arms Drill Wing.

Repatriation of Private Lee Ellis of the 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment.
Picture: Steve Dock, HQ Land Command

Proud farewell to courageous Para
Dean Kirby

HONOUR: Comrades carry Lee's coffin  broke the respectful silence as Paratroops paid tribute to Pte Lee Ellis, killed in Iraq. Ten soldiers fired three shots into the air in a salute to the Wythenshawe soldier as his body was laid to rest.
Lee, 23, was patrolling a children's playground in Al Amarah when a homemade bomb exploded. He was killed in the blast on February 28 along with a fellow officer.
He left a fiancée, Sarah, and a young daughter, Courtney.
Hundreds of mourners gathered at William Temple Church in Wythenshawe for the funeral service.
Among the congregation were more than 40 members of 2 Para, who flew from Iraq to be with Pte Ellis's family and friends.
Six Paratroops carried his coffin into the church draped in a Union flag. A group of ex-Servicemen formed an honour guard and standard bearers stood near the door.
Pte Ellis's father Tony spoke of his son's "warmth", his "vibrant and loving personality", his "courage" and his "big, beautiful smile".

Friendship

His platoon commander, Lieut Josh Jones, said: "He was the friend you always wanted to have. He was always there when you needed him and he extended his hand of friendship to everyone he met."
Pte Ellis had given up an apprenticeship at Wigan Athletic Football Club to pursue his dream of an Army career. He was also a boxer and had been due to represent his company on his return.
The former Newall Green Junior and Newall Green High School pupil overcame injury so he could join his colleagues in Iraq in October 2005. He operated in Maysaan Province as part of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards battle group.
He was in a Land Rover when the bomb, which was planted in an abandoned vehicle, exploded. Captain Richard Holmes, 28, from Winchester, also died in the blast and a third soldier was injured.
After yesterday's service, the funeral cortege travelled to Dunham Lawn Cemetery in Altrincham. A bugler played the Last Post as his body was lowered into the ground.
Pte Ellis's commanding officer, Lieut Colonel James Chiswell, described him as an "outstanding soldier, colleague and friend."