by Emma Grove

Sheppey soldier Daniel Holkham was unlawfully killed while on active service, an inquest has found.

The 19-year-old rifleman died on March 27 after a suicide bomber detonated a device near his patrol in an area to the east of Sangin in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

Daniel's parents Rodney and Tracy and brothers Matthew and Andrew, who were serving in the same regiment at the same time, were at the inquest which was held at County Hall in Maidstone on Wednesday.

The inquest was told about the events leading up to Daniel's death by Lance Corporal Ryan Le Masurier, section commander, and Captain Daniel Brown, platoon commander.

Statements were also read out from fellow soldiers, Rifleman Daniel Stead and Sgt Harry French, an ammunition expert.

Daniel's patrol had been tasked to confirm a suspected IED, which was then successfully detonated, before they set about returning to base.

They were patrolling on foot in the Sangin wadi, a large dry water course near to a bazaar, when a white estate car was seen driving towards them about 300m away.

L/Cpl Le Masurier, who was also injured in the explosion, told the inquest how there were no concerns about the vehicle initially as it was an area often used by locals, but the car picked up speed and veered off the track.

He said as he raised his weapon, the driver detonated his device when the car was between 25-30m away.

As the lead man heading his patrol, Daniel was closest to the blast.

Home Office pathologist, Dr Nicholas Hunt, recorded the cause of death as blast injuries caused by an explosion.

There were extensive injuries, mainly to Daniel's head and neck and also to his arms and legs.

Dr Hunt said Daniel would have died instantly and been unaware of what had happened and there was nothing those around him could have done to save his life, nor would his armour have made a difference.

Mid Kent and Medway Coroner, Roger Sykes, recorded a verdict of unlawful killing while on active service.

He offered his deepest condolences to the family and said they must have a great deal of pride in the service their son provided to his country.

Speaking about the verdict, Daniel's father said the outcome of the inquest was as they had expected.

He said: "From a family point of view we do not blame any of the lads that were there on that day and feel that all the boys carried out their duties with the utmost professionalism.

"It was important to us to know that he didn't suffer and that certainly appears to be the case."