Royal Marines inquest adjourned

Lt John Thornton and Marine David Marsh were killed in a blast

An inquest has opened into the deaths of two Royal Marines in Afghanistan.

Lt John Thornton, 22, from Dorset, and Marine David Marsh, 23, Somerset, both of 40 Commando, were based in Taunton.

The men died on 30 March when their vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb during a routine patrol in Kajaki, Helmand Province.

Wiltshire Coroner David Masters, sitting in Trowbridge, opened and then adjourned the hearing to a date to be fixed.

Marine Marsh's wife Claire said: "David was a loving and dedicated family man.

"He went though life with a smile on his face, which will continue through our beautiful daughter (Molly).

"The Royal Marines was his passion and love, he will always be our hero."