Inquest on war victim

A Gulf War veteran from Brownhills is "likely" to have contracted cancer through radioactivity from shells used during the conflict, an inquest heard today.

Father-of-two Stuart Dyson, aged 39, of Cherwell Drive, was exposed to uranium from bombs dropped by British forces in Iraq in 1991.

Professor Christopher Busby, an expert on the effects of uranium, told the inquest at Smethwick Coroners Court: "There is no doubt in my mind Mr Dyson was exposed to uranium particles.

"It is certainly more likely than not that his cancer was caused by this exposure. He was extremely young and his chances of getting colon cancer at that age was very, very rare."

Mr Dyson, who became a lance corporal, served in the army between 1985 and 1992. He also saw action in the Falklands.

He died after a 12-month battle with the illness in June last year, leaving wife Elaine and two children.

When he left the army, Mr Dyson performed a host of community roles including coaching football teams, becoming a schools governor and fundraising for the Macmillan cancer charity.

He always maintained his illness was connected to his time in the army.

The hearing continues.