Inquest Into Middlesbrough Soldier's Death

29 January 2013, 08:43 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

An inquest into the deaths of two soldiers, including one from Middlesbrough, killed by enemy fire in Afghanistan takes place today.

Corporal Andrew Roberts and Private Ratu Manasa Silibaravi, both 32, were attached to 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh Battlegroup when they were caught in an indirect fire attack on Forward Operating Base Ouellette in the northern part of Nahr-e-Saraj district in Helmand province in May.

At the time friends and relatives hailed their bravery, while military bosses said the soldiers, from the Royal Logistic Corps, "undoubtedly'' saved the lives of Afghans and fellow servicemen.

Cpl Roberts, who was born in Middlesbrough, was on his second tour of Afghanistan and had served on operations in Bosnia and Iraq.

The Section Commander in 23 Pioneer Regiment The Royal Logistic Corps was responsible for leading a team trying to detect improvised explosive devices in high-risk areas.

The Ministry of Defence said:
"Corporal Roberts not only facilitated freedom of movement for International Security Assistance Forces and Afghan National Security Forces, but also undoubtedly saved the lives of both Afghans and international personnel.''