Scots woman killed in rocket attack at Iraqi army base

A female soldier from Ayr has been killed in a rocket attack in Iraq.

Lance Corporal Brodie Gillon was killed on 11 March in a rocket attack on Camp Taji in Iraq.

Lance Corporal Brodie Gillon died alongside two American soldiers at coalition base Camp Taji yesterday.

She had served as a Reserve with the Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry since September 2015 as a Combat Medical Technician, but volunteered to be part of the Irish Guards Battle Group during their deployment to Iraq this year.

Physiotherapist LCpl Gillon, who was believed to be in Iraq on a non-combat operation to train Iraqi forces, was described by the Ministry of Defence as “a fit, energetic and compassionate individual, who played an active role in all aspects of military life” and said she “juggled her military training with her career as a self-employed sports physiotherapist”.

Scots soldiers in Iraq

Her commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel William Leek, of the Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry, said: “LCpl Brodie Gillon was a hugely popular character in the Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry and we are proud and humbled to have served with her in our ranks.

“She was a larger than life soldier who was determined to deploy on operations, help others, develop herself and gain practical experience. She had already achieved a great deal in her relatively short time with us and it was abundantly clear that she was destined for great things in her civilian and military careers. Her loss is keenly felt.”

Her squadron leader, Major Craig Powers, of A (Ayrshire) Squadron, said: “LCpl Brodie Gillon will be remembered with great fondness as an utterly professional soldier, an outstanding medic, and loyal friend to all in A (Ayrshire) Squadron.”

LCpl Gillon was originally from Ayr, but carried out her physiotherapy training in Glasgow.

It is believed Special Forces from the US and Britain have been deployed to track down the militia group responsible for the Camp Taji attack which killed LCpl Gillon.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: “From the warm testimonies of those who served with her, it’s clear that LCpl Gillon was held in the highest regard and was a shining example of what our Armed Forces and Reserves stand for, inspiring those around her and always putting others first.”