Ex-SAS soldier killed in Iraq ambush (From Barry And District News)

Ex-SAS soldier killed in Iraq ambush

A FORMER SAS reservist from Barry, who was working for an international security company, has been killed in Iraq.

Julian Davies, 39, was born and raised in Barry and educated at Barry Boys Comprehensive.

A spokesperson for Global Risk Strategies, the London-based security firm which employed Julian, said: "Sgt Davies was fatally wounded on Thursday, June 24, when carrying out his duties in Mosul, Iraq.

"It is evident that he was held in high esteem and respected by all his colleagues and friends by the overwhelming response to his death."

Mr Davies was happily married to Joanne, who he met while they were both serving in the Parachute Regiment in Northern Ireland.

They married in Halifax in 1993 and have a son Matthew aged six.

The reservist was the son of John Davies and Jean Pickering and stepson of Christopher Pickering and the late Hazel Davies.

After leaving Barry Boys School, Julian became an apprentice patternmaker at John Williams Foundary during which time he won the National Apprentice Patternmaker of the year in Britain and obtained an HND.

While serving his four-year apprenticeship Julian gained his green beret with the Royal Marine Reservists at HMS Cambria.

He then joined the regular army in 1986, the 2nd Battalion of the Parachute Regiment based in Aldershot, gaining his maroon beret.

He did active service in Northern Ireland and Belize and trained in several countries.

He left the forces in 1991 and returned to patternmaking and joined 21 SAS Reservists based at Newport, Gwent, and gained a further beret.

During this time he gained the rank of Sergeant.

In 2003 Julian joined an international risk management and security company and was initially based in Afghanistan, and later in Iraq.

Julian was an avid sportsman and excelled in outdoor pursuits.

He was a keen supporter of Cardiff City and had a passion for high-powered motorbikes.

He had owned a bike since he was 17-years-old.

He was a keen runner entering numerous long distance races and progressing to triathlons.

Julian was also a keen traveller and he and Joanne through their travels have a worldwide circle of friends.