A BLACKBURN soldier organised a poignant tribute to British servicemen killed in Iraq after being left heartbroken by the death of a comrade.

Staff Sergeant John Landy was touched by the death of Royal Marine Captain Philip Guy, who was killed 10 days before his Blackburn-born wife gave birth to his baby girl.

Sgt Landy will soon be returning home to see his his four-week-old daughter Freya -- meaning 'free spirit -- for the first time.

Today he led hundreds of British troops in Basra as they honoured their 31 colleagues killed in the war and read out a list of those who died.

Sgt Landy, 34, who is part of 43rd support squadron of 1GS, a general support regiment which transports army equipment, said: "I was reading an article about a comrade who had died and who had never got to see his new-born child.

"My wife has given birth since I've been here so it struck a chord with me. I thought that it could easily have been my wife in the same situation and that something should be done to help the families of the comrades who have died out here.

"Hopefully someone would have done the same for my wife and children if something happened to me. It will show that people in the army and the people they served with are thinking of them."

Sgt Landy suggested the service to his commanding officer, who then set the wheels in motion.

The service featured a collection for the Army Benevolent Fund, which raises money for the families of servicemen and women who have died in conflict.

Claire, 32, who lives in military accommodation in the German town of Gutersloh and who gave birth on Mother's Day, said: "We are so proud of him and I just want him to come home now to see his baby."

Captain Guy was one of the first British troops to die when the US helicopter he was travelling in crashed on the way to Kuwait.

His wife Helen Guy, who was brought up in Lammack, gave birth to 8lb 3oz Emily Catherine on Tuesday, April 1. The captain's military funeral took place ten days later at Holy Trinity Parish Church, Skipton.

Sgt Landy's first daughter Charlotte celebrated her fourth birthday on April 9 while he was in Basra.

Claire said: "It was tough without John.

"When the conflict started I didn't hear from him for months but now it's every two weeks. He was able to phone me a week after Freya was born.

"He said he could hear her crying in the background and all he wanted to do was pick her up and hold her.

"I know being away from us has really affected him and he was really upset in the days after Freya's birth."

John's mother Bridget, of Whalley New Road, received her first phone call from her son two weeks ago.

She said: "I just couldn't believe it when he called and I was so proud to hear of the service he's put together in Basra.

"I've had the news on all day and I keep telling people to listen out for him."

The family man grew up in Blackburn where John was educated at St Alban's Primary School and Notre Dame High School. He joined the army at the age of 17 and met Claire when he was posted in Northern Ireland.