Family of late RAF sergeant, 38, honoured by King Charles for her heroics against the Taliban claim her deadly cancer was caused by toxic fumes from the Chinook helicopters she served on

The family of a late RAF sergeant honoured by King Charles for her heroics against the Taliban has claimed the cancer that killed her was caused by toxic fumes from the Chinook helicopters she served on. 

Anna Irwin died from lung cancer at the age of 38 in October 2017 after serving eight three-month tours in Afghanistan. 

She was exposed to more than 2,000 hours of toxic fumes whilst onboard RAF Chinook helicopters. 

Now her father Mick Irwin, has called for an inquiry after he read that almost 40 troops diagnosed with cancer are suing the Ministry of Defence (MOD). 

At least three of those affected are already understood to have died, with their heartbroken families left fighting for justice.

She was exposed to more than 2,000 hours of toxic fumes whilst onboard RAF Chinook helicopters. Pictured: Her coffin is carried by troops at her funeral 

Pictured: A file photo of an RAF Chinook helicopter returning to base 

Testimonies from sick personnel and their families claim the MoD knew about the potential dangers of helicopter exhaust fumes for more than 10 years but failed to act on them.

Mr Irwin told The Times: ‘Why did my daughter have to go through what she went through? It could have all been avoided if they had taken action. 

‘As far as I can see this is still happening and no one is doing anything about it.’

Mr Irwin described his daughter as a ‘fighter’ who ‘wanted to live’ and ‘fought all the way through’. 

Ms Irwin was a Chinook crewman who was first posted to 18 (B) Squadron at RAF Odiham in 2007 but was later deployed to Afghanistan. 

She was presented with the award for ‘Most Outstanding Airman’ by King Charles at The Sun’s Military Awards in 2013 after she helped rescue eight soldiers after a suicide bomb attack on their base. 

Ms Irwin was diagnosed with a rare form of lung cancer in 2016 despite never being a smoker nor there being any other obvious environmental causes. 

Since the initial report in The Times was published, lawyers from Hugh James solicitors said they have had 100 more people contact them who have either been diagnosed with cancer themselves or seen a family member suffer after serving on British military helicopters. 

Some former service personnel have been handed out-of-court settlements, including former flight sergeant and helicopter winchman Zach Stubbings, who trained Prince William.

Documents exposed amid legal fights have revealed the government was aware of the dangers of the Sea King’s exhaust as long ago as 1999.

Mr Irwin described his daughter as a ‘fighter’ who ‘wanted to live’ and ‘fought all the way through’. Pictured: Anna Irwin’s coffin is carried at her funeral 

Ms Irwin was a Chinook crewman who was first posted to 18 (B) Squadron at RAF Odiham in 2007 but later deployed to Afghanistan

She was presented with the award for ‘most outstanding airman’ by King Charles at The Sun’s Military Awards in 2013 after she helped rescue eight soldiers after a suicide bomb attack on their base

Zach Stubbings trained with Prince William and has received a payout

But it carried on allowing aircrew to fly in the helicopter without safety precautions regardless of the risks.

Leading barrister at Normanton Chambers, Jonathan Dingle, said engine jet efflux gases – containing benzene carcinogens – ‘were apparently being sucked through the cabin and out again through the cockpits – mixing as the air which everyone onboard the aircraft was breathing’.

Mr Dingle said: ‘The Germans knew about it roughly the same time and installed longer exhaust options on some of their aircraft to draw the exhaust away.’

However, those aircrew serving in the British military ‘were not provided with masks or filters or purified air or any form of filtration system. They were not warned about the whole system,’ he said.

An MoD Spokesperson said: ‘We hugely value our service personnel and veterans and owe a debt of gratitude to all those who serve, often with great personal sacrifice. 

‘We continually review our policies to ensure they are aligned with good practice and protect our people from harm.

‘Service personnel and veterans who believe they have suffered ill health due to service from 6 April 2005 have the existing and long standing right to apply for no-fault compensation under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme.’