Still no inquest date set for John (From Echo)

Still no inquest date set for John

6:40pm Wednesday 24th June 2009 in Southend

THE family of a soldier killed in Afghanistan are still waiting for an inquest nearly two years later.

John Thrumble, 21, a private in the First Batallion the Royal Anglian Regiment, was killed alongside comrades Aaron McClure and Robert Foster, both 19, in a “friendly fire” incident in August 2007.

Pte Thrumble grew up in Westcliff.

Mum Pearl, of Steeple Road, Mayland, said the Army kept putting off the hearing.

She said: “It’s always about paperwork. It’s frustrating and puts so much pressure on the family.

“It’s not about one family, we’ve all got questions that have not been answered.”

A pre-inquest hearing is due to be held in September.

Mrs Thrumble fears that will also be delayed.

She added: “The worst has happened and you have to live with that, but parents don’t want to have to worry an inquest is going to take nearly three years. We have suffered enough.”

The Ministry of Defence declined to comment on the story yesterday.