DENISE MICHELLE ROSEStaff Sergeant Denise Michelle Rose, who died on 31 October, 2004, aged 34, was the first female British soldier to die in Iraq.During her time in the Army, she served both with the Royal Military Police and as an investigator who strove for security for the people of Iraq.Described as "universally popular" by her commanding officer, she had many friends who were drawn to her liveliness, and she always shone during social occasions.Close to her family as well as her friends and colleagues, she is sorely missed by all who knew her.Staff Sergeant Denise Michelle Rose came from Liverpool. She joined the Royal Military Police in 1989 and in 1995 she trained as a SIB investigator.Her duty during this role was to conduct investigations into serious incidents within the military in the UK and Cyprus.On 27 September, 2004, she deployed to Iraq as a volunteer and became part of a small team of specialist investigators who assisted in the rebuilding of civilian life in the country.She died from a gunshot wound at the Army base in the Shatt-al-Arab Hotel in Basrah.Lieutenant Colonel Robert Silk MBE, the Commanding Officer of her parent unit, the Special Investigation Branch (Germany) based at Rheindahlen, said: "She was doing so well in the Army, and had a bright future in front of her. Even more importantly, Denise had a multitude of friends, being universally popular, intelligent and ever cheerful. Her death is a tragic loss."Staff Sergeant Rose's family also paid tribute and said: "We will always remember her as a fun loving girl who was the life and soul of the party."We are a very close family and Denise was adored by us all. We know that we speak not only on behalf of her family, but also of all her friends and colleagues, when we say that she will be missed terribly and will always remain in our hearts and thoughts."
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