Private Thomas Sephton, 20, of 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment, was called a "true hero" by fellow soldiers giving evidence today at Warrington Coroner's Court in Cheshire.
The inquest heard that on the day he was wounded, the soldier had gone out to clear a route of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) around a patrol base on a road known as "IED Road".
He was next to his best friend, Private Charlie Emina, who was providing cover while he used a metal detector to check for traps, when he noticed a wire as they crossed an irrigation ditch.
Pte Emina told the inquest: "He just shouted to me 'Shit, I have found a wire' and the bush just exploded."
The inquest heard that the Taliban use the wires to trigger the IEDs, from which they have taken out as many metal components as they can to prevent them being detected.
The wires are usually pulled by Taliban fighters who are in hiding.
Pte Sephton was given treatment by fellow soldiers and medics while in the field before he was evacuated by a helicopter.
He was flown back to the UK after the blast in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand Province.
He died in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham on July 5 last year.
Returning a verdict of unlawful killing, Nicholas Rheinberg, the coroner for Cheshire, said: "In the vernacular he was murdered while serving as a soldier in Afghanistan."
In a statement which was then read to the inquest, Pte Emina said: "Sefo was my closest friend in the world - we were like brothers. He was always the life and soul wherever he went.
"He loved his friends and family more than anything. He was always first out of the gate on patrol and had pride doing his job for his country.
"He saved the lives of his section on two occasions and on that tragic day he saved my life and gave his own.
"He is a true hero to his friends, family and his country and as a nation we owe him a debt of gratitude. I love him with all my heart and I will be lost without him."
The inquest was told that the area where the Army was based had a "very high" IED threat.
Lance Corporal Steven Moorish said Pte Sephton and Pte Emina were highly trained at detecting IEDs and that during their service in Afghanistan they had found between 10 and 15 roadside bombs.
He said Pte Sephton was a "small lad" and always volunteered to be at the front because it also meant he did not have any heavy equipment to carry.
He added: "He was confident and he was very good at what he did."
In a statement read to the inquest, Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Hadfield, Commanding Officer 1 Mercian, said: "He was courageous and selfless to the last, placing himself in harm's way to save others. When he was mortally injured he was alongside his best friend Private Charlie Emina, and amongst his mates whom he did so much to help.
"Tom Sephton was not a particularly big man in terms of size, but he had a big heart, and was full of fun and energy.
"He punched above his weight in every way, whether militarily, in sporting activities or by just being a great friend and comrade. His obvious ability had been spotted, and he was due to attend a promotion course on return from Afghanistan.
"If any man lived the motto, 'Stand Firm Strike Hard', it was Tom Sephton. He will be missed deeply by the Mortar Platoon, and by the men of C Company to whom he was attached. The thoughts and prayers of the entire battalion are with his family and friends at this most difficult of times."
Lieutenant Colonel Steven Cartridge said the Taliban "adapted and changed their tactics" in a bid to "defeat" the soldiers.
But he said the metal detectors used by soldiers like Pte Sephton were "just one part of the equipment".
He said the "most important part of the equipment" was the soldiers themselves.
"As they are sweeping the metal detector through they are looking for ground signs," he said.
The inquest heard the soldiers used their trained eyes to look out for disturbed patches of earth, broken twigs, markings on walls which warn locals or discarded pieces of cloth.
The inquest was told that Pte Sephton died from multiple organ failure caused by blast injuries from an explosion.
An engineer and body armour expert had examined Pte Sephton's helmet and armour and found although some of it was due to be replaced it could not have saved his life.
The final statement read to the court by Mr Rheinberg was from Lieutenant David Payne.
He said: "Private Tom Sephton was one of the bravest soldiers I have ever met. As a leading member of the Mortar Platoon All Arms Search Team he constantly put himself in harm's way to protect other members of his team and platoon."
He added: "He will be sorely missed by all his friends here. Our prayers are with his family; I am sure they can take some solace in the fact that he saved the lives of others by giving his own. Sleep well now, I will never forget you."
The family of Pte Sephton, including his mother Angela Horn, declined to comment after the inquest.
taken from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/8735182/Soldier-gave-life-to-save-friend-in-Afghanistan.html
Pte Sephton was given treatment by fellow soldiers and medics while in the field before he was evacuated by a helicopter.
He was flown back to the UK after the blast in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand Province.
He died in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham on July 5 last year.
Returning a verdict of unlawful killing, Nicholas Rheinberg, the coroner for Cheshire, said: "In the vernacular he was murdered while serving as a soldier in Afghanistan."
In a statement which was then read to the inquest, Pte Emina said: "Sefo was my closest friend in the world - we were like brothers. He was always the life and soul wherever he went.
"He loved his friends and family more than anything. He was always first out of the gate on patrol and had pride doing his job for his country.
"He saved the lives of his section on two occasions and on that tragic day he saved my life and gave his own.
"He is a true hero to his friends, family and his country and as a nation we owe him a debt of gratitude. I love him with all my heart and I will be lost without him."
The inquest was told that the area where the Army was based had a "very high" IED threat.
Lance Corporal Steven Moorish said Pte Sephton and Pte Emina were highly trained at detecting IEDs and that during their service in Afghanistan they had found between 10 and 15 roadside bombs.
He said Pte Sephton was a "small lad" and always volunteered to be at the front because it also meant he did not have any heavy equipment to carry.
He added: "He was confident and he was very good at what he did."
In a statement read to the inquest, Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Hadfield, Commanding Officer 1 Mercian, said: "He was courageous and selfless to the last, placing himself in harm's way to save others. When he was mortally injured he was alongside his best friend Private Charlie Emina, and amongst his mates whom he did so much to help.
"Tom Sephton was not a particularly big man in terms of size, but he had a big heart, and was full of fun and energy.
"He punched above his weight in every way, whether militarily, in sporting activities or by just being a great friend and comrade. His obvious ability had been spotted, and he was due to attend a promotion course on return from Afghanistan.
"If any man lived the motto, 'Stand Firm Strike Hard', it was Tom Sephton. He will be missed deeply by the Mortar Platoon, and by the men of C Company to whom he was attached. The thoughts and prayers of the entire battalion are with his family and friends at this most difficult of times."
Lieutenant Colonel Steven Cartridge said the Taliban "adapted and changed their tactics" in a bid to "defeat" the soldiers.
But he said the metal detectors used by soldiers like Pte Sephton were "just one part of the equipment".
He said the "most important part of the equipment" was the soldiers themselves.
"As they are sweeping the metal detector through they are looking for ground signs," he said.
The inquest heard the soldiers used their trained eyes to look out for disturbed patches of earth, broken twigs, markings on walls which warn locals or discarded pieces of cloth.
The inquest was told that Pte Sephton died from multiple organ failure caused by blast injuries from an explosion.
An engineer and body armour expert had examined Pte Sephton's helmet and armour and found although some of it was due to be replaced it could not have saved his life.
The final statement read to the court by Mr Rheinberg was from Lieutenant David Payne.
He said: "Private Tom Sephton was one of the bravest soldiers I have ever met. As a leading member of the Mortar Platoon All Arms Search Team he constantly put himself in harm's way to protect other members of his team and platoon."
He added: "He will be sorely missed by all his friends here. Our prayers are with his family; I am sure they can take some solace in the fact that he saved the lives of others by giving his own. Sleep well now, I will never forget you."
The family of Pte Sephton, including his mother Angela Horn, declined to comment after the inquest.
taken from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/8735182/Soldier-gave-life-to-save-friend-in-Afghanistan.html
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