Inquest into death of Yorkshire paratrooper

Private Martin Bell, 24, from 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, was fatally wounded by a blast from an improvised explosive device (IED) to the south of Nahr-e-Saraj in Helmand province on January 25.

The inquest will be held in his home town of Bradford, West Yorkshire, along with a separate hearing into the death of Sergeant Peter Rayner, of 2nd Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, who was killed in action in October last year.

Pte Bell was the 350th UK military fatality in Afghanistan since operations began in 2001.

He was struck by the explosion as he moved to help a comrade injured by a separate device.

At his funeral, Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Harrison, the commanding officer of 2 Para, said the action which led to Pte Bell losing his life was “one of the bravest acts I’ve witnessed in 23 years of soldiering”.

The officer said: “He was the epitome of courage and the finest example of what makes this country great.

“His reputation will resonate long after we have gone.”

Father-of-one Sgt “Skippy” Rayner, 34, died when he was struck by an IED as he led his men on patrol, also in the Nahr-e-Saraj district of Helmand, on Friday October 8 last year.

Although not born in the city, the soldier considered Bradford his home and was an avid Bradford City fan.

His wife Wendy said: “Fantastic, loving husband and father, son, son-in-law, brother and brother-in-law, who loved his job and doing something which he believed in. He will be sincerely missed by all who knew him.”

Lieutenant Colonel Robbie Boyd, commanding officer of his battalion, said: “He was honest, loyal and always vocal. A true Lion of England and a man of high morals, guts and integrity.”

The officer added: “Ferocious in defence of his men and deadly with a Javelin missile, he fired as many as any operator in the Army when facing the enemy in battle.

“I have lost a confidante, a magnificent Javelin missile detachment commander and an honourable soldier.”

Sgt Rayner left a six-year-old son. His father - also called Peter - served in a forerunner of the same regiment.