For the heroes no radio were beaten to death by Iraqi mob

The men were sent to the town Majar al-kabir in the Uk-controlled south of the country to help train members of a local police force. They had just 50 rounds each and had no way of contacting their HQ if they faced any problems.

Two days earlier, Paras had to be saved from the same police station after they were surrounded and threatened by a heavily armed mob.

Relations between the Parachute Regiment battle group to which the RMPS were attached, and the locals were very tense. The Paras had been trying to get the local population to disarm.

The RMP squad left the main m base at Camp Abu N Naji at about 9.10am an and arrived in the town around 30 minutes l later. A witness said the situation deteriora deteriorate rapidly. A huge mob of between 500 to 6 600 people arme armed with rocket-p et-propelled gr grenades and

automatic weapons attacked the police station. Shortly afterwards Simon Miller was shot and wounded. The local police who the RMPS had come to train escaped via windows but the British soldiers decided to defend the station and wait for help. It is believed the RMPS tried to negotiate with the mob but were quickly overrun.

It later emerged that some of the British soldiers held up pictures of their families as they pleaded for their lives. Simon was beaten, stamped on and shot 34 times.

The other four Red Caps who died were Sgt Simon Hamilton- Jewell, 41, of Chessington, Surrey; Cpl Paul Long, 24, of South Shields, Tyne and Wear; L/cpl Benjamin Mcgowan Hyde, 23, of Northallerton, North Yorks; and Cpl Russell Aston, 30, of Swadlincote, Derbys. All were dead within 90 minutes of leaving the main British base.

John said his son’s patrol should have had more ammunition and a satellite phone so they could call for help against a mob armed with rocket-propelled grenades and AK-47S.

John, who served in the Royal Army Ordnance Corps and whose other son Jon, 40, is a RMP regimental sergeant major, said: “So many standing orders were broken by those who sent my son to his death. All the senior officers involved were promoted and somehow we are meant to accept that. All we want is an admission of guilt from the MOD.

“I’m so angry and very hurt. I don’t think me and my wife have even grieved – it has been a constant battle. All I’ve wanted is to get these people into court and for the MOD to accept the failings that were clearly identified.”

Human rights barrister Simon Mckay, acting for Mr Miller, said: “It is incredibly disappointing that the application to the ECHR – the families’ last legal avenue – has been dismissed.

“The witnesses threatened with prosecution may eventually be prepared to risk this in the pursuit of justice for the six murdered Red Caps. Their service and sacrifice should never be forgotten.”

An MOD spokesman said: “We note the recent ECHR ruling, and our thoughts remain with the families and friends of those killed in this tragic incident.”