Army major died in mortar attack (From Daily Echo)

Army major died in mortar attack

1:49pm Wednesday 13th February 2008 in News By Echo Reporter

A well-respected Army major died from massive neck and head wounds when he came under mortar fire at an outpost in Basra, Iraq, an inquest heard today.

Major Paul Harding, from the 4th Battalion The Rifles, who was the chief of staff at the Provincial Joint Co-ordination Centre (PJCC), was overseeing a supply convoy when they came under attack.

The inquest in Winchester, heard that the 48-year-old, who was wearing body armour and a helmet, was in a fortified sangar overlooking the front gate to the compound, when a mortar struck the sentry point.

The hearing was told that Maj Harding's body was found slumped in the corner of the sangar, having been blown across the position by the force of the blast.

He died of multiple fragmentation wounds caused by metal shards from the mortar round, the inquest heard.

Winchester Coroner Grahame Short recorded a verdict that Maj Harding ''was killed in active military service''.