COMRADES of tragic Grenadier Guardsman Daniel Probyn who was killed in action in Afghanistan choked back their emotions as they told an inquest of the brave Black Country soldier's last moments.

Members of the 1st Battalian Grenadier Guards gave evidence at Dudley Coroners Court on Thursday June 19 - where they told how the 22-year-old soldier had been helping to clear a Taliban compound called Three Farms in Garmsir in the deadly Helmand Province when a huge explosion went off.

Daniel was killed instantly and four other colleagues were injured in the blast on May 26 2007, which Black Country coroner Robin Balmain described as "in reality there's no way you can protect against".

He said it was "not totally clear where the explosion came from but it was clearly very close to Daniel" and he recorded a verdict that the soldier was unlawfully killed in the course of military service.

He told Daniel's heartbroken parents Tim and Ann Probyn, from Hawbush Road, Brierley Hill, that they could be "totally proud of their son", adding: "What I've been told demonstrates the bravery and commitment of the young men that serve this country, and that was particularly evident in Daniel."

The court heard Guardsman Probyn's platoon had been on a mission to take out a sentry in the compound, which had only been cleared weeks earlier - but afterwards it was discovered the look-out post had already been destroyed.

Giving evidence Sergeant Scott Roughley, who was blown off his feet and into a crater by the strength of the blast, told the court about the moment he discovered Guardsman Probyn was dead.

He said: "The platoon commander Lieutenant Andrew Tiernan shouted me over and I could just see rubble.

"I started to remove the rubble and I realised it was a British helmet and he was one of ours. I picked him up and realised he was dead and then I recognised the tattoos on his chest as Daniel's.

"His injuries were predominantly to the chest and his body armour had been shattered. It looked like he'd taken the full blast."

The coroner - however - said he was "perfectly satisfied" Daniel's death had nothing to do with a lack of training or equipment.

He said: "It's not a conventional war situation - they're dealing with insurgents or terrorists.

"There was no particular intelligence at the time to suggest there was any particular threat beyond what you would expect in such an inherantly dangerous task."

He also gave a "very substantial vote of appreciation for all our soldiers - particularly those I've heard about today."

During the hearing, Guardsman Probyn's colleague Lance Corporal Nick Davis described his brave comrade as "the best guardsman we had in that section".

Sergeant Scott Roughley said: "He was a hard-working, loyal soldier. He was very friendly, had a great sense of humour and was always the centre of attention for the right reasons. He was genuinely a good bloke."

Guardsman Scott Blaney described him as an "amazing soldier", adding: "He was not scared of anybody."

Captain Rupert King-Evans added: "He was an excellent soldier."

A statement from the British Army released after the inquest said: "Our thoughts and sympathies remain with the family and friends of Guardsman Probyn at this difficult time. We were immensely saddened at his death."