Jon Hollingsworth

Sergeant Jonathan Hollingsworth CGC, QGM, described as "an SAS hero" by a British tabloid newspaper and the former paratrooper, reportedly sustained gunshot wounds during a raid to capture terror leaders in Basra and later died of his injuries at a nearby military hospital.

Sources suggest he had been recommended for a Conspicuous Gallantry Cross after single-handedly killing six insurgents during a separate raid in the southern Iraq capital only weeks earlier.

He was the 126th British soldier to be killed in operations in Iraq.

Sgt Jonathan Hollingsworth was born in 1971, at Hull, Humberside. Married with a family, he was a member of the Parachute Regiment before eventually joining the SAS.

Only weeks before his death, Sgt Hollingsworth was shot in the back of the neck during another operation in Basra. The bullet missed his carotid artery by millimetres but, rather than taking time off to recover, he promptly returned to action.

Defence Secretary Des Browne said: "The death of Sgt Hollingsworth is a terrible loss and my heartfelt sympathy goes out to his family, friends and comrades."

"Sgt Hollingsworth was killed on a successful operation to detain those who were known to attack both civilian and military personnel. He did not die in vain."

Hollingsworth was twice decorated for his gallantry; firstly receiving the Queen's Gallantry Medal as a Corporal in Northern Ireland, and later the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross in Iraq.