Private Daniel Gamble

An inquest has begun into Private Daniel Gamble's death - he being the 100th member of the British armed forces to have been killed on deployment in Afghanistan.

Private Gamble lost his life earlier this month in a suicide attack, along with fellow soldiers Private Nathan Cuthbertson and Private David Murray.

100^th British Soldier Killed

The total number of British soldiers killed in the country reached the 100 level upon certification of his death.

All three soldiers belonged to the 2nd Battalion of the Parachute Regiment.

The inquest is taking place in Wiltshire, UK. Addressing the court today, Ken Evill, coroner's officer, stated: "The men were subjected to small arms fire and grenade airburst rocket-propelled attack.

"As the patrol manoeuvred to react it is suspected that a suicide-borne improvised explosive device approached them and detonated.

"As a result the three received fatal injuries."

Private Gavin Williams

Meanwhile, those present at Winchester Crown Court today heard details of a separate incident, in which a so-termed Army "beasting" killed a soldier.

Army Beasting

The beasting - an informal form of punishment given to members of the British Army - resulted in the death of Private Gavin Williams just under two years ago.

The beasting was undertaken by Corporal John Edwards, Sergeant Paul Blake and Sergeant Russell Price, all of whom deny having committed manslaughter.

During the punishment, Private Williams collapsed, subsequently dying of heatstroke. According to the prosecution, the soldier informed those behind the action he was "cooking up", and could not continue.

Mark Dennis QC, prosecutor, stated: "By the time Williams fell to the ground en route to the medical centre, the damage had already been done and his body was now reacting to the lethal effects of hyperthermia."

Heatstroke induced a heart attack and, a short while later, the soldier was declared dead.

Addressing the court, Mr Dennis referred to the beasting in general terms as "a somewhat crude disciplinary measure designed and intended to humiliate, push to the limit and hurt the recipient."

He added that the beasting was supervised by Sergeant Price, who considered Private Williams to be "a disgrace to the regiment."

"Willingly" aiding him, said Mr Dennis, were Sergeant Blake and Corporal Edwards.

The latter figure, added the prosecutor, "...told a fellow corporal at the mess meeting later in the morning - before Williams collapsed and died - that he had given Williams 'the best beasting of my/his life'."

After having collapsed, Williams was transferred to hospital. Here, it was discovered that, at 41.7 degrees centigrade, his body temperature substantially exceeded the norm.

Unlawful Killing

The abuse and treatment given to the soldier by the three senior Army figures, Mr Dennis concluded, had resulted in Private Williams being unlawfully killed.

Armed Forces International will provide further coverage of both these cases as more facts emerge in coming days.

Source - Armed Forces International's Political Correspondent

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