Afghanistan comrade of Prince Harry found hanged is 'casualty of war' says family

A decorated soldier who served alongside Prince Harry in Afghanistan and is believed to have killed himself while suffering from post traumatic stress disorder was a casualty of war as if he had been shot on the battlefield, his parents have said.

Warrant Officer Nathan Hunt was found hanged at his home after police forced their way in when concerns were raised for his safety

As an inquest was formally opened into his death, the hearing was told his parents had raised the alarm after the 39-year-old failed to attend their home for a meal on New Year's Day.

The father-of-one was due to leave the Army later this year after 22 years of service and had reportedly told his colleagues of his struggle with PTSD and his "useless" treatment.

WO Hunt of the Royal Engineers served with Prince Harry in Afghanistan’s Helmand province in 2008 after being attached to the Household Cavalry.

His job was to identify Taliban roadside bombs as part of a desert reconnaissance unit and he was awarded a Mention in Dispatches for his courage.

Speaking after the inquest opened, his parents, Derek, 66, and Maria Hunt, 64, insisted they did not blame the Army, but hoped their son's death would help end the "stigma" of PTSD among troops.

Mr Hunt, who himself served 22 years in the Army, said: "I don't see Nathan's death as any different to if he had been shot on the battlefield. He is a casualty of war.

"He saved hundreds of lives during his career in the Army and if his death can do the same then that would be a fitting tribute.

"We have to end the stigma that comes from post-traumatic stress disorder."

Mrs Hunt, whose own father was a Chelsea pensioner, added: "Nathan never really talked about what happened in Afghanistan, I think he wanted to protect us.”

Opening the inquest, Paul Smith, coroner for Lincolnshire, said WO Hunt died at his Lincoln home on January 2.

He said: "I am told in a statement from Pc Nathan Addlesee that on that date police officers attended the address as a consequence of concerns for the occupant.

"The officer states that at 9.50am as a consequence of the door being secured by a chain that the officers forced entry.”

WO Hunt was found hanged inside and declared dead at the scene.

The coroner said: “I am satisfied the circumstances of Mr Hunt's death are such I must hold an inquest. There are ongoing inquiries in to the broader circumstances of his death, and I therefore adjourn the inquest for a provisional date of 21 June."

The soldier, who has an elder brother, was on Christmas leave from his post training reservists in Manchester. He was due to be discharged from the Army in September and had bought a town house in Lincoln after separating from his wife who lives in the North East of England with their young daughter.

The career soldier grew up in Lincoln and joined the Army as a boy soldier just before his 16th birthday after attending North Kesteven School in the cathedral city.