Ex-Marine Andrew died trying to make a difference

4:38pm Saturday 17th May 2008

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AN inquest has heard how a former Royal Marine from Sandbach died in Iraq, when an explosive device tore through his armoured vehicle.

Andrew Dancaster, aged 31, of Green Street, had been working as a contractor involved in rebuilding schools and hospitals in the north of the country.

On November 1 last year an explosion tore through his three-vehicle convoy on a road outside Mosul, killing him and injuring three others.

At the inquest his father, Richard Dancaster, paid tribute to his son and described his distinguished career in the Royal Marines.

During his time in the armed forces, Mr Dancaster served with 40 Commando to Sierra Leona, and then, having been transferred to 42 Commando, he was sent on a tour of duty in Northern Ireland.

Mr Dancaster passed out and earned the Green Beret of the Commandos in 2000, receiving a prestigious Diamond Award.

In 2003 he was to face his biggest challenge yet, this was as part of a 3 Commandos deployment in Iraq.

In 2005 Mr Dancaster left the Royal Marines, but felt that he could still make a difference in Iraq and went back in November that year to take up the position of a Reconstruction Liaison Officer, helping with the rebuilding of the country.

He worked for security firm, Aegis Defence Services Ltd.

His father said: "Andrew was in Iraq for nearly two years, he would come back and visit but he didn't talk much about the conditions in Iraq.

"I suppose he didn't want to worry us.

"He wanted to make a difference and he'd served there before so he was aware of the dangers.

"I think he eventually wanted to work for the UN or the Red Cross."

The Coroner, Mr Rheinberg concluded: "On November 1 as the three vehicle convoy travelled towards Mosul, Mr Dancaster's vehicle came into contact with some form of explosive device, possibly a land mine, and an enormous blast blew the Land cruiser within which they were travelling."

He said that Mr Dancaster had died as a result of blast injuries from the explosive device and recorded a verdict of unlawful killing at the inquest last Friday.