It is with very deep regret that the Ministry of Defence has to confirm that Lance-Corporal Thomas Richard Keys was killed in action in southern Iraq on 24 June whilst serving with 156 Provost Company, Royal Military Police. Aged 20, he came from Llanuwchllyn, near Bala in Wales, and was single.

He joined the Army in August 1998, initially serving with 1st Battalion, The Parachute Regiment. He transferred to the RMP and joined 156 Provost Company in January 2002. He had served on operations in Sierra Leone and Northern Ireland and deployed to Jamaica on exercise. A popular soldier, Thomas was a fully trained paratrooper and physical training instructor who played football for the Company.

His funeral service, with full military honours, was held at St John's Church in Barmouth on 14 July.

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