Probe into soldier Diddams' death closes DEFENCE won't hold a public inquiry into the death of Sergeant Blaine Diddams who was killed in Afghanistan last year. Sgt Diddams, of the elite Swanbourne-based Special Air Services Regiment, was killed in July 2012 while on his seventh tour of Afghanistan. A defence department inquiry into his death said on Monday only that a Commission of Inquiry was not warranted. Defence Minister Stephen Smith has also decided not to release the inquiry's report on Sgt Diddams. Sgt Diddams was shot in the chest after his patrol was dropped by helicopter in pursuit of a known insurgent commander in the Chorah Valley. He was fatally wounded despite wearing combat body armour. He was 40 years old. Sgt Diddams was posthumously awarded the Medal for Gallantry.