A former Kings College student was killed in Afghanistan during an explosion on a routine foot patrol, an inquest heard.

Lieutenant Paul Mervis, who studied at the Wimbledon school for 10 years until 2000, was killed by an Improvised Exploding Device (IED) that detonated as he stood on the roof of a school building in Sangin, northern Helmand province, on June 12 last year.

The 27-year-old was leading C company from 2nd Battalion, The Rifles, when he fell through the roof and suffered catastrophic leg injuries - losing both below the knee - and further wounds to his pelvis and arm.

His soldiers made desperate efforts to save the riflemen but his condition quickly deteriorated and he soon died, a coroner was told.

Family, former teachers and Army colleagues paid tribute to Lt Mervis in the weeks after his death, describing him as “one in a trillion”.

Andrew Halls, headmaster at King’s College school, said : “The loss of Paul Mervis is a tragic one.

“One of his teachers described him as ‘a fair minded, decisive, decent and bright boy who, with the perfect balance of single-mindedness, consideration and focus, had precisely the character required to be an excellent commanding officer in the high pressure situations of war.”

Lt Colonel Rob Thomson, commanding officer of 2 Rifles, said: "Lieutenant Paul Mervis was utterly irrepressible. There was no more committed officer in The Rifles and the Riflemen adored being under his command.”

Major Alastair Field, Commanding Officer C Company, added: "Paul Mervis was a one in a trillion. I have never met a more passionate and engaging young officer in my 12 years in the Army.”

North Hampshire coroner Andrew Bradley told soldiers giving evidence he had the greatest respect for them and their efforts trying to save Lt Mervis.

He recorded a narrative verdict that Lt Mervis died from wounds received while on active service.