Norfolk marine died a hero, inquest told
A Norfolk marine died a hero when he was shot dead in Afghanistan on Christmas Eve, a coroner said today. L/Cpl Ben Whatley, 20, from Tittleshall near Fakenham, was fighting against the Taliban in Helmand Province on December 24, 2008, when he was fatally wounded.
A Norfolk marine died a hero when he was shot dead in Afghanistan on Christmas Eve, a coroner said today.
L/Cpl Ben Whatley, 20, from Tittleshall near Fakenham, was fighting against the Taliban in Helmand Province on December 24, 2008, when he was fatally wounded.
At the inquest at King's Lynn County Court, Greater Norfolk Coroner William Armstrong said L/Cpl Whatley died from a gunshot wound to the neck.
'I do want to express my deepest sympathy to Ben's parents Teresa and Sam and his brother Luke, all his friends and all his colleagues,' said Mr Armstrong.
You may also want to watch:
'Ben's parents have raised a considerable amount for Help for Heroes - there's only one hero we are talking about today.'
L/Cpl Whatley, who served with the Plymouth-based 42 Commando Royal Marines, had been on a roof and moved forward to fire a shoulder launched rocket when he was shot.
Most Read
- 1 Centre of Lowestoft is a 'coronavirus hotspot'
- 2 Woman's four stone weight loss success despite global pandemic
- 3 'A momentous occasion': Pharmacies to start Covid vaccinations in Suffolk
- 4 Man arrested and drugs seized in police raid
- 5 Restaurant fined for refusing to close in third lockdown
- 6 Delays warning as road closed for emergency repairs
- 7 How I became Ralph Fiennes' assistant on Netflix's The Dig
- 8 Police investigate Southwold sign swearing at visitors to stay away
- 9 Latest 'R rate' shows coronavirus still spreading in region
- 10 Man recovering after suffering serious leg injury in crash
The inquest heard that a convoy that would have offered further support had been held after finding a roadside bomb and L/Cpl Whatley had gone onto the roof because, as one of the tallest marines, he was able to get up quickly.
'It appears from the evidence given today that the firing was intense,' said Mr Armstrong.
'Ben was seen crawling forward towards the edge of the roof and raised himself slightly to launch and then lurched back. It was apparent he had been shot at about 11.39am.'
He concluded that L/Cpl Whatley had been killed by opposing forces while on active military service.