Inquest could shed light on Major's death (From Daily Echo)

Inquest could shed light on Major's death

11:47am Tuesday 12th February 2008 in News By Andrew Napier

THE full story of how a Hampshire army officer was killed during an operation in Iraq may be revealed tomorrow.

Major Paul Harding, 48, a company commander in the 4th Battalion The Rifles, died in a mortar attack near Basra on June 20 2007.

An inquest due in Winchester will be told how he was in an advanced position, trying to secure a supply route when he was hit and suffered fragmentation wounds to his head and neck.

The career soldier with more than 30 years' experience had been in Basra for less than a month. He was one of the most senior soldiers to be killed since the invasion in 2003.

Major Harding was married with two teenage children and lived in South Wonston, near Winchester.

The inquest, before central Hampshire coroner Grahame Short, is believed to be the first one to be held in Winchester for a serviceman killed in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Normally such inquests are heard in Oxford.

Winchester coroner's officer Barry Thomas said the Oxford coroner was starting to pass on single inquests to other coroners.

Mr Thomas said: "We have not heard about any others. The possibility is always going to be there whilst the conflicts go on."

Major Harding was buried in July with full military honours after a service in Winchester Cathedral. It was attended by some 800 people.

Paying tribute Lt Col Patrick Sanders, the battalion commanding officer, said Major Harding shared the dangers faced by his men.

"He would never ask a rifleman to do something he wouldn't do himself and, wanting to minimise the risk to his men, placed himself in danger.

"The Rifles lost one of its most senior long-serving and admired riflemen, and the country lost a veteran of deep personal integrity, professional excellence, wisdom, experience and simple decency."