Victoria Cross Soldier Was 'Unlawfully Killed'

A soldier who won a Victoria Cross for bravery in Afghanistan was unlawfully killed, an inquest has found.

L/Cpl James Ashworth  23, of 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, was fatally injured by his own grenade after he was hit by a Taliban bullet just as he went to throw the explosive device into an compound in June last year.

At L/Cpl 'Jimmy' Ashworth's inquest today Anne Pember, the Northamptonshire Coroner, said a post mortem had revealed cause of death as blast injuries caused by an explosion.

She recorded a verdict of unlawful killing while he was serving on operations in Afghanistan.

The citation for the Victoria Cross which he won posthumously in March this year said the 6ft 8ins Grenadier guardsman had needed to expose himself to enemy fire to get his grenade away and in doing so he pushed himself into full view.

He was attempting to clear Taliban compounds in the Nahr-e-Saraj district of Helmand Province.

The inquest at Kettering Magistrates Court heard that there had been a four man Taliban sniper team that had been picking people off that the Nato-led forces had been desperate to neutralise.

L/Cpl Ashworth was inching his way towards one of the snipers, being peppered with fire, before pulling out the pin in readiness to throw it.

But before he could release the grenade, he was hit in the chest by a round from another sniper.

Disabled from the bullet's blow, which hit his body armour, he was killed when the enabled grenade went off next to him.

"His total disregard for his own safety in ensuring that the last grenade was posted accurately was the gallant last action of a soldier who had willingly placed himself in the line of fire on numerous occasions earlier in the attack," said the citation.

"This supremely courageous and inspiring action deserves the highest recognition."

His mother Kerry spoke after the hearing, saying: "Losing James has been a devastating experience for all of us who love him.

"He was taken all too soon from us and sadly we share our grief with all the families who have lost loved ones over the years on operational tours.

"James passed away doing a job he loved. At times it was a hard job. But he did get to experience new countries, learn new skills and make some wonderful friends.

His commanding officer Lieut Col James Bowder said: "L/Cpl James Ashworth was the bravest of soldiers and the best of men. His remarkable gallantry, selfless commitment, and tenacity last summer serve as an example for us all.

"His contribution in Afghanistan in 2012 will continue to inspire soldiers in the Grenadier Guards for many years to come."

The Victoria Cross is the most prestigious of all military decorations and only awarded in exceptional circumstances for bravery carried out under direct enemy fire.

It was first created on January 29, 1856, and is hand-made from bronze cannon captured from the Russians at the siege of Sevastopol in 1854-55 during the Crimean War.

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