TWO soldiers who studied together at a North-East university have been killed in Iraq within weeks of each other.

It emerged last night that Lieutenant Tom Mildinhall, 26, who died in a roadside bomb blast in Basra on Sunday, had known Lieutenant Richard Palmer, 27, when they were both students at the University of Durham.

Lt Palmer was killed last month, also in a roadside bomb attack.

Both men had been students at St Hild and St Bede's College and were in the same tutor group.

Staff at the college said the loss of both men had been a heavy blow and it was a "doubly sad time for the college".

College principal Dr Alan Pearson said: "We're a very close-knit community, and to lose one of the members of our college family is a great loss. But to lose two, it's hard to know what to say.

"Both of them were really nice lads.

"They both went into it with their eyes open as they were career professionals, but it doesn't make it any easier."

Lt Mildinhall was one of two members of the Queen's Royal Dragoon Guards who died in the attack on a routine patrol.

He was educated at Bath and graduated from Durham University in 2002 with a BSc in artificial intelligence.

He was a month into his second tour of Iraq after graduating from Sandhurst in 2004.

Dr Pearson said Lt Mildinhall had been a very popular student and was an accomplished rower and ski instructor.

He rowed for the College 1st Eight, the University 2nd Eight and attended international trials.

He was also a musician who played saxophone and piano.

Dr Pearson added: "He was slightly older than most when he came at the age of 20, which made him a little bit more mature and more down to earth.

"He was a really nice guy."

Lt Mildinhall's father, Lieutenant Colonel Colin Mildinhall, served with the Royal Engineers. His mother, Susan, is a speech and language therapist.

They said: "Our world is in pieces and our country has again lost one of its best.

"We share the pain of the soldiers and the families of the others injured and killed in this incident.

"We have lost a beautiful, talented and loving son for ever."

Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Pittman, his commanding officer, said: "It was typical of his command style to insist he physically led the more dangerous patrols, as he was doing when his troop came under attack and he suffered a fatal injury.

"He was a true enthusiast and it was uplifting to be in his company. Regardless of circumstance, he always viewed the glass as half full."