HOSPITAL surgery notes from 15 years ago were matched with a post mortem x-ray to confirm a body found in the remote Russian Caucasus mountains was missing Ilkley father-of-two John Stiles.

Meccano-like steelwork had been fitted in Mr Stiles' pelvic area by surgeons at St James's in Leeds after he had a climbing accident in 1999, a Bradford inquest heard yesterday.

His wife Isabelle had told coroners officers in the UK about her husband's past operation and that information was used to consult medical records which conclusively confirmed the body was his.

Mr Stiles had disappeared on a ten-hour hike in the mountains last November in North Ossettia but was eventually found on July 18.

A helicopter recovered him after a brightly-coloured object was spotted in high ground the day before.

He was initially identified by personal possessions found on him, believed to have included his wedding ring.

A post mortem in Russia found Mr Stiles had died from a massive head injury as a result of blunt force trauma.

He had been commuting between Ilkley and Russia while working in Grozny as a Country Director for the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) for the last two years. He helped Chechen families displaced by the wars with Russia on housing, legal aid and income generation projects.

The 52-year-old was an experienced mountain walker and climber, the inquest heard during its opening.

The proceedings have now been adjourned to wait for more information and reports from the Russian authorities through the Foreign & Commonwealth Office.

Emergency relief organisation EMERCOM had been worked in conjunction with Russian Civil Defence since Mr Stiles was reported missing in November.

Assistant Bradford coroner Dr Dominic Bell was told Russian police had carried out an investigation and at this time there did not appear to be any suspicious circumstances.

Mrs Stiles spoke yesterday of her relief at finally bringing her husband home - and knowing that he is not likely to have suffered long after the fatal fall.

She said: "John travelled all around the world but this time it was his last journey . We will miss him so much as he was a great man and a very supportive husband and loving and fun Dad." He leaves two children Hugo and Poppy.

His career had seen him undertake humanitarian aid projects in North Iraq, where he met Isabelle through their work for the Kurds.

The family travelled together abroad for seven years on projects in Angola, Serbia, Macedonia and Pakistan before settling in Ilkley.

He was also a dedicated scout and scout leader in his youth, and volunteered for the 1st Ben Rhydding Scout Group.

Mr Stiles' funeral will be at St John Fisher and St Thomas More Roman Catholic Church, Bradford Road, Burley-in-Wharfedale, on Friday October 17, staring at 11am.

Mrs Stiles said anyone was welcome to attend the service but requested that flowers should be white and asked that any donations are made to the Danish Refugee Council or similar international organisation of their choice - the burial will be private.