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Private Joe Berry, 21, was discovered lifeless in a portable toilet on the site by one of his fellow soldiers, who had been looking for him. The first day of the soldier’s inquest heard he had died from a gunshot wound to the head, which was “consistent with being self-inflicted”.

It also emerged Private Berry had been in trouble with his company sergeant major that morning for cleaning and unloading his rifle in his room the night before, which is not allowed due to safety reasons.

The soldier, who was with the Second Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, at the New Kabul Compound in Afghanistan, was reprimanded and became “distressed” and “tearful”.

Sgt Major Christopher Groves, who had lectured Private Berry, told the inquest: “I said ‘we all make mistakes’ and I could see he was distressed. I said he should get on with the rest of his day and that we’d deal with it later.”

“He was tearful and that’s why I took the opportunity to say to him that we all make mistakes, to accept the mistake and get on with the rest of the day.”

Private Berry’s roommate, Lance Corporal Josh Brown, later alerted multiple commander Sergeant Fitzpatrick of a WhatsApp message from Private Berry that said: “Thanks for being such a good friend. I wish I was better at everything. You are such a legend…..love you man.”

The message also informed them where he was, and a search for the soldier began, heading to the area where the portable toilets were.

And as Cheshire Live reports, the soldier was found dead next to his Glock pistol in the portable toilet. 

He was also beside his phone, a notebook with a message on it and a pen, which the court, in Warrington, Cheshire, heard appeared to have been “placed”.

According to the report from the forensic scientist, the Glock had been fired.

Paying tribute to her son during the inquest, Private Berry’s mum Lisa Snow said her son “loved” being in the army.

She said: “In all honesty, I would have probably preferred another career path for him as I didn’t want to see him get hurt or take risks.

“He prepared for a long time with his fitness and reading lots of books. He had a small stature – you would not look at him and immediately think paratrooper but he was very strong mentally and physically.

“He absolutely loved it, he was living his dream. He wanted to see the world and he hoped the army would help him to do that.”

She described him as an “inspirational” person who loved animals and the theatre, adding that most of the letters she received after his death were sent by people who referred to him as “their best friend”.

Joe’s dad Nick Berry, a squad leader in the RAF, said: “I am incredibly proud of what he was able to achieve. It takes something special to do what they (the parachute regiment) do.

“It was a big adventure for him and I was always proud of what he was doing.”

The court heard there were no signs Private Berry, from Crewe, Cheshire, had intended to take his own life.

The inquest is due to be concluded by the senior coroner for Cheshire Alan Moore today.

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