A RUNCORN soldier and father-of-three has been killed while serving in Iraq.
Lance Corporal Paul Farrelly died when a roadside bomb exploded in the Al Jezaizah district of Basra.
L Cpl Farrelly, 27, was travelling in an armoured Land Rover on Sunday carrying out a routine task when the attack took place. Troop Leader Lieutenant Tom Mildinhall, of Battersea, also lost his life.
In a joint statement, L Cpl Farrelly's mother Lynn, 48, along with his step-dad Kevin Hirst, 47, father Tom, 48, and step-mum Jill, expressed their devastation.
They said: 'Words cannot express how we feel at the loss of a dear son, brother, father and uncle.
'He was a special and loving person who has been taken from us too young and too soon.
'We are all devastated but extremely proud of Paul.
'He loved his job, his wife, family and children very much. He will be ever in our hearts.'
L Cpl Farrelly, known as 'Fas', was serving on his third Iraq deployment with the Queen's Dragoon Guards.
After enlisting in the Army in March 2002, L Cpl Farrelly joined the Queen's Dragoon Guards after completing his training at the Army Training Regiment in Winchester, where he was judged top recruit.
He first served in Iraq between February and May 2003, serving a second six-month tour in April 2005.
L Cpl Farrelly, who lived in Run-corn until the age of 16, was a keen footballer and a regular member of the Regimental 1st XI.
He was devoted to his wife and three young children and adamant family came first above all things.
L Cpl Farrelly's commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Pittman, said: 'L Cpl Farrelly was knowledgeable, quick-thinking and tough. He stood out among his peers as a natural leader, level-headed and utterly dependable.
'His wealth of experience, combined with his ability to identify quickly the critical path, meant his contribution was way beyond that commensurate with his rank.
'He embodied much of what is best about soldiers in the British Army - selfless, determined, humorous and steadfast in the face of adversity.
'Always a committed family man, Paul spoke often and fondly of his wife Natalie, and their three children, Reece, Morgan and Brooke.
'L Cpl Farrelly was an outstanding soldier who will be sorely missed by all those who have had the privilege to serve with him.'
