It is with deep regret that the Ministry of Defence has to confirm that Warrant Officer Colin Wall, the Company Sergeant Major of 150 Provost Company, Royal Military Police, was killed during an attack by gunmen on a British Army vehicle in Basrah on 23 August 2003.

Colin Wall aged 34, from Crawleyside, County Durham, was married to Trish for almost 8 years and they have an 11 month old son called Alexander. Colin also has two other children from a previous marriage to Isabella: a daughter Lauren, 12, and a son Robert, 10.

He enlisted into the Army as a Junior Leader soldier in Bovington in September 1985 and subsequently joined the RMP. He served in Belize. Germany, Canada, Northern Ireland and England. He also completed operational tours of duty in Kosovo and Iraq.

Colin was a highly focussed and professional soldier. His calm and measured approach commanded respect and admiration from all who knew him. He was immensely proud of the role he played within the RMP, in particular as the Company Sergeant Major. His first priority was always the morale and motivation of the men and women in his care.

His main passions outside army life were his family, walking his dogs, and 'tinkering' with and restoring cars.

Colin's Mum and Dad, Barry and Joan said:

"Colin was a loving son and we are very proud of him. He loved his family and enjoyed spending time walking in the Weardales."

The Second in Command of 150 Provost Company, Captain Sean O'Brien said:

"Colin was the epitome of a Company Sergeant Major and made a real difference to the operational effectiveness of the Company. His untimely death is a blow to all in the RMP family and to all those who worked closely with him here in Catterick. He had many friends in the Company and will be sorely missed by all who knew him. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, parents and family at this difficult time."

The media are requested to respect the family's privacy at this very difficult time.

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