Let me fight...last plea as captain lay fatally injured

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Captain David Hicks, of 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, suffered shrapnel wounds in a Taliban rocket attack at his base north-east of Sangin, in Helmand Province, on 11 August last year.

The 26-year-old removed his oxygen mask and shouted "let me get back out there" as medics tried to treat his serious chest wounds.

Capt Hicks, from Wokingham, Berkshire, was flown by Chinook helicopter to a medical facility at Camp Bastion but did not survive. He was posthumously awarded the Military Cross for his bravery.

Opening an inquest at Trowbridge Town Hall, Coroner David Masters said Capt Hicks climbed to the top of a sangar (observation platform) to determine the location of enemy firing positions, when the Inkerman base came under attack just after 1pm.

The coroner said: "Capt Hicks was in the far right end corner of the sangar when there was a massive explosion in his vicinity. One soldier described an American football-shaped object heading towards the sangar before the explosion."

The inquest continues.