Briton Killed Fighting IS An 'Outstanding Example Of Courage'

Ollie Hall's mother did not know about her son's plans until he had arrived in the Middle East. (Picture: YPG/PA).

A man who was killed while searching for improvised explosive devices in Syria after volunteering to fight against Islamic State was an "outstanding example of courage and self-sacrifice", a coroner has said.

An inquest in Portsmouth heard that Ollie Hall, 24, was inspired to join Kurdish fighters after being angered by the Manchester terrorist attack.

The telecoms engineer left the UK on August 18 last year, heading for Iraq.

He trained for five weeks before beginning work to clear mines and explosives in Raqqa, where he died on November 25.

He did not tell his mother about his plans until he had arrived in the Middle East.

Jane Lyndon said that on the day he left, he gave her £20 to pay for a taxi to get home from work.

"He said 'I love you Mum' and I said 'I love you', and that was the last time I saw him."

Mrs Lyndon said he was angered by terrorist attacks in the UK and Europe and thought the Government was not taking action.

She said: "I knew he was mad about them but we had no idea he felt so strongly."

Mrs Lyndon, a nurse, said he had entered a house in Raqqa after an elderly man and his daughter reported their concern about booby trap bombs.

Another volunteer told her "he and Ollie were going through the house, they kept saying to each other 'Look out, look out' and two minutes later there was an explosion, he shouted out 'Oliver, Oliver' but there was no sound".

Pathologist Brett Lockyer said Mr Hall died of multiple trauma injuries likely to have been caused by two bombs.

Coroner David Horsley recorded a narrative verdict saying Mr Hall died "on active service with Kurdish forces. He gave his life to protect the safety of others".

"He was someone who felt deeply about the world and its problems and resolved to do something about it himself to bring an end to terrorism and repression.

"So deep was his commitment that he gave up the secure and comfortable life in his family home.

"He also should be an outstanding example of courage and self-sacrifice to whoever hears his story."