Soldier killed by stray bullet
A Cannock soldier was killed by a stray bullet which struck his machine gun and ricocheted into his face, an inquest heard.
Former Cardinal Griffin High School pupil Simon Davison, a member of the Grenadier Guards, was manning a general purpose machine gun at a watchtower on the frontline with the Taliban when he was killed on May 3 this year.
South Staffordshire Coroner Andrew Haigh said the 22-year-old had been extremely unlucky.
He praised the medical team who tried in vain to save Guardsman Davison's life and added: "We should also express our thanks as we approach remembrance Sunday not just to Simon but for all those who have died serving their country."
The inquest, which was attended by Simon's uncle, heard Guardsman Davison, from Oriel Close in Cannock, had relieved a comrade early on the morning of May 3 and was guarding a checkpoint before his group were due to leave the post after a 48 hour stint.
At around 6.40am that morning a small band of Taliban fighters attacked the checkpoint with small arms fire and Guardsman Davison returned fire.
Moments later an enemy bullet hit the machine gun and fragmented into at least two pieces which ricocheted at high speed into Guardsman Davison's face just above his eyebrows and below his helmet.
The fragments caused massive internal brain damage and the inquest was told Guardsman Davison would have been knocked unconscious instantly. Staff Sergeant Andrew Howell, from the Royal Military police, who investigated the incident, showed the inquest photographs of the machine gun which showed impact damage from a bullet.
He said the checkpoint manned by Guardsman Davison was on the frontline and at the time of the incident the Grenadier Guards were "contacting the enemy" seven or eight times a day.
Sgt Howell said: "The Grenadier Guards were very upset by Guardsman Davison's death.
"They were a close team and at that time the Grenadier Guards were very professional. They were still going out fighting. Simon died a hero."
Mr Haigh recorded a verdict that Mr Davison dies after suffering internal bleeding and brain damage as a result of gunshot wounds to the head from bullets fire by anti-coalition fighters in Afghanistan.
