EXCLUSIVE: By Patrick Hill

Last updated 11:28, Thursday, 27 March 2008

A CARLISLE soldier serving in Iraq had a miraculous escape when his life was saved by his radio and a tuna sandwich.

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On duty: LCpl Anthony Nugent and LCpl Mark Harding from Wigton, who also came under attack. ‘We all look after one another because the last thing you want to see is one of your mates get hurt’

Lance Corporal Anthony Nugent, 22, was one of eight soldiers on a routine patrol in Basra when at least eight insurgents opened fire after ambushing the 1st Battalion of the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment.

A bullet ripped through the former North Cumbria Technology College pupil’s rucksack, before obliterating his tuna sandwich, hitting his radio and then bursting out of the other side of his bag. Amazingly, he wasn’t aware of just how lucky he had been until he returned to base.

Speaking from Basra, Anthony told the News & Star: “I didn’t realise what had happened until later when somebody asked me where my antenna was. I’ve got a bit of a bad reputation for losing them so at first I just thought ‘oh no, not another one’.

“It wasn’t until we looked through my rucksack that I realised what had happened. I was very, very lucky.

“I don’t usually bother with religious stuff, but the morning before it happened I went to church and said a reading because it was Palm Sunday. I don’t think I’ll be turning to religion overnight but since then I’ve begun to wonder if there might be something in it.

“I don’t remember too much about actually being under attack. It sounds geeky but pure training just takes over.”

Lance Corporal Mark Harding, from Wigton, was also part of the eight-strong Corunna company which came under attack.

He said: “We were very lucky but you can never allow yourself to get too concerned. We all look after one another and work together because the last thing you want to see is one of your mates get hurt.”

Mark, who will return to Cumbria for five months on Friday, spoke to his wife Rachel, 31, the next morning. He added: “I’m looking forward to getting back.”

LCpl Nugent and Harding, who are both on their second tour of duty in Iraq, are among dozens of Cumbrians who make up the 550-strong battalion serving in Basra.

Battalion spokesman Captain Jon Gilbody said: “The situation in Basra has improved and an attack of this severity is very rare. British soldiers only come under about one attack of this strength every three to four months.”

A five-strong team, made up of soldiers from the 1st Battalion of the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, will be running the London Marathon in aid of the charity Sense on April 13. To donate log on to www.justgiving.com/1lancs.