Lance Corporal Kenneth Rowe volunteered to stay

Lance Corporal Kenneth Rowe volunteered to stay because he wanted to take part in a planned operation and was worried about a lack of cover for his comrades, an inquest was told yesterday.

L Cpl Rowe and his sniffer dog, labrador Sasha, were searching for enemy weapons in Helmand province, near Sangin, on July 24, 2008.

The 24-year-old, from West Moor, near Newcastle, died when his group was ambushed by the Taliban.

L Cpl Rowe, of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps, was serving alongside soldiers from the Parachute Regiment.

The inquest heard tributes about his character, experience and professionalism.

Lieutenant Freddie Kemp, of the Parachute Regiment, said L Cpl Rowe and Sasha were near a low wall when the enemy opened fire 30 metres away.

He said: “A rocket-propelled grenade struck the wall.

“When the smoke cleared, it was immediately apparent that Kenneth and Sasha had become casualties.”

L Cpl Rowe was airlifted to a British camp, but could not be saved. Sasha was also killed.

Lt Col Kemp said: ‘‘The company commander said it was the heaviest attack his company had experienced.

“It was an intense weight of fire.”

Paying tribute to L Cpl Rowe, he said: “Dog handlers occupy a unique position in any military order of battle and the blend of character, experience and professionalism Kenneth brought to this role mean he was regarded highly.

“The whole company, the whole of the battalion, took his loss very personally.

“He was an exceedingly capable and highly-regarded individual.”

Coroner Eric Armstrong recorded a verdict that L Cpl Rowe was killed on active service.

L Cpl Rowe’s uncle, Gary Haughan, said the family, including his parents, Kenneth and Lyn, and sisters, Jennifer and Stephanie, were relieved the inquest was complete.

Mr Haughan said: “The pain of Kenneth’s death is as acute today as it was just over two years ago.

“He will always be remembered by everyone that knew him.

“As always, Kenneth put others before himself.”