AN INQUEST into the death of a young soldier in Porton Down Army experiments in 1953 begins tomorrow.
Ronald Maddison was one of a group of soldiers exposed to Sarin nerve gas by scientists.
The soldiers had been told that they were taking part in research into the common cold, but Mr Maddison, from Manchester, collapsed and died soon after being exposed to the gas.
The Ministry of Defence refused to reveal details of the Army inquest which followed.
Sarin was the gas used by terrorists from a religious cult who struck on the Tokyo underground network in 1995, killing 12 people and injuring about 6,000. A fourth pre-inquest preview was held in February to consider administrative issues. This public inquest is the result of a 40-year struggle from other soldiers who claim they have experienced lifelong health problems as a result of experiments at Porton Down.
The inquest is being held at the former Magistrates Court in Trowbridge.
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