Iraq soldier's message from the grave

Updated 10.33 Wed Apr 04 2007

Keywords: army, killed, soldier, iraq

The wife of a soldier killed in Iraq has received an anniversary card from her husband just days after discovering that he died on patrol.

Kingsman Danny John Wilson, 28, from the 2nd Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, died on Sunday after he was injured during a patrol in Basra.

"It's like it's all happening to somebody else. I look at his picture in the paper and it's just not him to me...it's not happening" - Tracey Wilson

He had already served in the country and volunteered to go back and fight for a second time, the Ministry of Defence said.

The father of one, who leaves his wife Tracey and son Leo, was on his second tour in the war-torn country and had been earmarked as a future officer because of his experience, the MoD said.

Mrs Wilson told ITV News that a card from her husband celebrating their wedding anniversary arrived as she struggled to come to terms with his death.

She said: "I actually got an anniversary card from him (on the day of our anniversary) because obviously the post isn't exactly quick."

"It's like it's all happening to somebody else. I look at his picture in the paper and it's just not him to me...it's not happening. But I think it will probably start to sink in when I go to see his body and go to the funeral."

The soldier was described by the MoD as "popular and much respected" with an "infectious sense of humour" which had marked him out as a Battalion character.