'I'll fight on in Iraq to honour my dead pal'
THE best friend of the Lothians serviceman who was the 100th British serviceman killed in Iraq has pledged to go on with the battle for peace there in honour of his friend.
Corporal Gordon Pritchard was the victim of a roadside bomb in the port of Um Qasr in January.
Lance Corporal Gordon Fraser, who had been friends with Cpl Pritchard since they were children, said his friend would not have wanted his fellow squaddies to leave the job unfinished.
He added that he and his wife, who has just become pregnant, were considering calling their new baby Gordon, in memory of his friend, if it is a boy.
Cpl Pritchard, 31, who originally came from Prestonpans, East Lothian, but whose parents, Jenny and Bill, now live in the Saughton area of Edinburgh, was married with three children.
L/Cpl Fraser, 31, said: "His death came as a massive blow. But it has made us even more determined to help stabilise this country and bring peace. It is exactly what Pritch would have wanted. He would have wanted to get the job done.
"Gordon was the type of bloke everybody aspires to be. I will miss him very much."
He added:
"His family are obviously completely distraught. My wife is helping his wife to try and get through it."