The flag flew at half mast outside the headquarters of Colchester's Red Caps today.

The garrison and the whole town was in shock at news that six Royal Military Police officers had been killed in Iraq.

A British military spokesman said the killing of the six soldiers was unprovoked.

The flag flies at half mast at the headquarters of Colchester's Red Caps Picture: EVENING GAZETTE

Lieutenant-Colonel Ronnie McCourt said: "It was murder."

Civilian leaders in a southern Iraqi town were today given 48 hours to hand over the gunmen who killed them.

The Red Caps were killed by Iraqi townspeople said to be furious over civilian deaths during a demonstration against the Allies in Al Majar al-Kabir, witnesses said.

All six dead were from 156 Provost Company. The youngest was in their 20s and oldest an unmarried sergeant in his 40s. The others were two married corporals, a single corporal and two unmarried lance-corporals.

Tony Blair told Prime Minister's Question Time in the House of Commons today: "The whole country and their families can be immensely proud of them even as they mourn them."

He said thousands more troops would be sent to Iraq within the next three weeks.

Colchester MP Bob Russell said it was "the darkest day in 60 years" of garrison history. He invited the House of Commons to offer their condolences to the families of the dead.

Mr Blair said he spoke for the whole House in echoing Mr Russell's comments.

Mayor Dr Chris Hall said: "It is just dreadful news. The whole town will be full of sorrow at the news today and we just pray for their families."

The Red Caps' company, 156 Provost, provides military policing support to the 16th Air Assault Brigade.

The names of the six soldiers killed in Iraq are:

Corporal Paul Graham Long, from Colchester

Sergeant Simon Alexander Hamilton-Jewell, from Chessington

Corporal Russell Aston, from Swadlincote

Corporal Simon Miller, from Tyne and Wear

Lance-Corporal Benjamin John McGowan Hyde, from Northallerton

Lance-Corporal Thomas Richard Keys, from Bala.

Published Wednesday, June 25, 2003

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