Coroner's inquest reveals that Teddington soldier died fighting for foreign legion in Ukraine

A soldier forced out of the British Army on medical grounds died fighting for the foreign legion in Ukraine, an inquest heard.

Jake Waddington, 33, from Teddington, suffered fatal fragment injuries from "either a shell or drone attack" after several months battling the Russian forces on the front line, an inquest held at Oxford Coroner's Court heard yesterday (Tuesday, 28 October).

According to Oxford Mail, the coroner was told he joined the Ukrainian foreign legion after being discharged from the British Army when he suffered an epileptic seizure in 2022.

But after the invasion of Ukraine, he left his home on Teddington's Cambridge Road to fight the Russian forces before he was killed in an explosion.

Mr Waddington lived on Cambridge Road in Teddington (Credit: Tilly O'Brien)

Oxford Mail reports: "The inquest heard he had been on a combat operation near the Russian border on January 6 in the village Mali Shcherbaky, Vasylivka District, Zaporizhzhia Region.

"The damage to his lungs and aorta led to a severe haemorrhage that resulted in 'rapid unconsciousness and death', a post-mortem concluded.

"He was repatriated to the UK and formally identified using dental records, the inquest heard.

"Recording a narrative conclusion, coroner Darren Salter said there were conflicting reports of shelling from Russian positions and Mr Waddington's family being told it had been a drone attack."

He said: "We cannot say which it is, but in short an explosive device, whether a shell or a drone, is what has resulted in Jake's death."

The news outlet writes: "In his conclusion, Mr Salter told the inquest: "Jake was serving as a soldier in the international legion of the Ukrainian Army.

""He was on a combat mission at the time near the village of Mali Shcherbaky, Vasylivka District, Zaporizhzhia Region.

""He died due to fragmentation injuries from an explosive device, likely to be either a drone or shelling.

""I offer my condolences to Jake's family and friends on his loss at this age, just 33, while engaged in the fighting in Ukraine.""

According to the news outlet, the inquest heard Mr Waddington's girlfriend in Ukraine had contacted his friend in the UK to inform him of his death, which was then reported to the UK authorities.

It writes: "Mr Waddington's uncle then had a conversation with his nephew's commander in Ukraine, who told him they had been on a mission near the Russian border when he was "struck by a drone attack."

""One of Mr Waddington's colleagues was also seriously injured alongside him, the coroner said," reports Oxford Mail.

It adds: "No family were present at the hearing at Oxford Coroner's Court but information was provided by Ukrainian authorities.

"Mr Salter said the evidence was limited and said there was "not a lot of detail on the events that took place around Mr Waddington's death.

"A forensic post-mortem was carried out by Dr Russell Delaney who concluded Mr Waddington died as a result of "penetrating fragment injuries to his chest."

"Dr Delaney's report stated: "He died as a result of penetrating fragment injuries to the chest. The damage to lungs and aorta resulted in severe haemorrhage that would have led to rapid unconsciousness and death."

"He said it was "not possible to determine the precise nature of the penetrating fragments" but there was "nothing to suggest expose to small arms fire"."

An earlier post-mortem carried out in Ukraine looked only at 'surface injuries' but came to the same conclusion, the coroner said.

The inquest also heard Mr Waddington was previously in the British Army but was discharged on medical grounds after having an epileptic seizure in 2022.

A report from the Met Police confirmed Mr Waddington used to be in the British Army until the medical episode and added it was 'unclear' who recovered the body or brought him to Ukrainian authorities.

Documentation from the acting commander also confirmed he was "on a combat mission" in the area and died "as a result of enemy fire".

Oxford Mail writes: "The coroner references another witness interview from a colleague fighting with Mr Waddington who said he had died as a 'result of shelling' by the Russian Federation."

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Mr Waddington's close friend Robert Clark paid tribute to the soldier, saying: "Very good friend of mine Jake has been fighting in Ukraine with the International Legion since 2023, across the east and the south, often in intelligence roles.

"Having spoken to his commander, Jake is being brought home as per his wishes. My thanks to his unit and team, and may God bless you all.

"The irony is Jake's medical conditions precluded much of his service in the Army, which is what helped him volunteer to fight in Ukraine. He had only just extended for a further 6 months late last year.

"Those who know Jake will remember his particularly peculiar yet infectious sense of humour; how disarming he was; how he saw the good in everyone; his deep love of animals; and his sense of profound decency, honour, and fairness.

"You were one of the best of us.

I have many, many fond memories of our times together, and I'm so proud of you mate.

"I sometimes use to think he was not made for this world, but the truth is, this world was not made for Jake. My thoughts are with his sister, mother, uncle and all his brothers back in Ukraine continuing to fight on.

"May you Rest In Peace."