Soldier 'killed on final day of tour'

The first Military Cross holder to be killed in battle since the Second World War died just hours away from completing his third tour of Afghanistan, his inquest heard yesterday.

Acting Sergeant Michael Lockett, 29, who received one of the highest decorations for bravery for leading his platoon to rescue injured soldiers in battle on a previous tour in 2007, was once again in the front, marking out a roadside bomb to warn others.

As the father-of-three, of the 2nd Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Worcesters and Foresters), knelt down to mark the improvised explosive device with spray paint it exploded, injuring him and two other soldiers. Sgt Lockett died before he could reach the field hospital at Camp Bastion.