Shropshire soldier 'unlawfully killed' in Afghanistan

A 22-year-old Shropshire-based soldier was unlawfully killed while serving in Afghanistan on Remembrance Sunday last year, a coroner ruled today.

Ranger Aaron McCormick was caught in a blast while out on patrol in the Nad'e Ali area of Helmand province.

The soldier, who was stationed with 1st Battalion, The Royal Irish Regiment at Clive Barracks in Tern Hill, near Market Drayton, had been helping to clear improvised explosive devices when he was killed in an explosion.

David Ridley, the Coroner for Wiltshire and Swindon, today recorded a verdict of unlawful killing while on active service in Afghanistan.

The inquest in Trowbridge, Wiltshire, was told Ranger McCormick, from Macosquin, County Londonderry, was known as Vallon Man, the soldier in a patrol who carries the mine detector.

Sergeant Peter Keogh, who led the patrol, told the inquest a line of stones had been left near their checkpoint, which they believed to be the work of local residents identifying the location of an IED.

The patrol went to investigate, and Ranger McCormick lay on the floor to examine the area.

Sergeant Keogh, who was close behind when the device went off, said: "I remember watching at the time. He shifted his weight. He did something. He moved and the device functioned. I was just behind him. I was blown off my feet."

When asked if there was any sign of life, he replied "no, there was not."