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Suicide watch for soldiers in Iraq
An unprecedented "suicide watch" has been launched by commanders at Britain's main military base in Iraq following the deaths of three soldiers.
An investigation has been launched to discover whether the soldiers, who died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds, were suffering from Post Traumatic Stress disorder (PTSD).
Members of the Royal Military Police (RMP) Special Investigation Branch (SIB) are also trying to establish whether their was any link between the three deaths which occurred during a ten-week period between December 2008 and February 2009.
Following the third death in February, commanders launched a poster campaign calling for troops to keep a close watch on colleagues who appear to be exhibiting suicidal behaviour, mood swings and symptoms of PTSD.
One of the posters states: "Never let your mate fight alone. Worried about someone in your team? Be willing to listen. Not all wounds are visible".
The posters then calls on troops to: "Talk to your medical officer, Padre... Tell someone in your chain of command".
Another poster adds: "Never Accept defeat. Getting help is a sign of strength. No soldier stands alone. Your medical officer or Padre can help. Talk to someone in your chain of command."
Both posters also give details of a confidential "support lines" which can be accessible from anywhere in the world.
The exact circumstances surrounding the three deaths have not been established, although sources at the base said one of the soldiers had recently received a letter from his partner stating that their relationship was over.
Although it is possible that the wounds may have been self-inflicted accidentally, sources at the base believe all three were suicide.
The last of the three to die was Pte Wrathall of the 1st battalion the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment. His death came as a huge shock to his colleagues and is said to have left many of them in tears.
Pte Wrathall's commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Charlie Sykes said: "This is a unique Iraq tour. The city of Basra is at relative peace and we fully expect ours to be the last major British Army deployment to Iraq.
"This relative peace makes Private Wrathall's death even harder to come to terms with, as, much like the sandstorms we've experienced here in the desert, it comes out of a clear blue sky."
Cpl Churcher died at 10pm on Thursday 11 December while he was on his own at the Contingency Operating Base (COB) in Basra.
The MoD has confirmed that his death was now the subject of investigation by the SIB.
Cpl Churcher, who was involved in flying unmanned air vehicles and was a specialist in surveillance and reconnaissance, had planned to transfer to the RAF when he returned to the UK.
LCpl Wilson had become a father just 11 weeks before he was found dead on 4 December 2008. He was described as having a "positive and infectious" nature and a personality which "lifted" the atmosphere in any room he entered.
A senior officer based in Basra said: "The deaths of all of these guys came as a real shock.
"There have never been what we believe are suicides coming together in a relatively short period. If these were suicides – and all the indications are that they were, then signs were missed and that is something which should not have happened."
Suicide is a recognised symptom of PTSD and many former servicemen who have seen active service have taken their own lives.
At least 15 military personnel are believed to have taken their own lives after serving in Iraq and more veterans of the Falklands War have committed suicide than were actually killed in the war.
Lance Corporal Johnson Beharry recently criticised the government for failing soldiers who are suffering from PTSD after serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. LCpl Beharry, who was awarded the Victoria Cross for twice saving the lives of colleagues in Iraq while under heavy rocket fire, said that it was "disgraceful" that some veterans were struggling to receive treatment.
He said the Government was relying on military charities to cover its own deficiencies and called on it to act to better help the growing number of his comrades suffering from severe combat stress, depression and mental breakdowns.
He said; "These are people who have served this country. Why can't they get treatment? I don't think the Government is doing enough for soldiers.
"Those who are still serving get some form of help for combat stress but even those who are serving don't get enough support."
An unprecedented "suicide watch" has been launched by commanders at Britain's main military base in Iraq following the deaths of three soldiers.
An investigation has been launched to discover whether the soldiers, who died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds, were suffering from Post Traumatic Stress disorder (PTSD).
Members of the Royal Military Police (RMP) Special Investigation Branch (SIB) are also trying to establish whether their was any link between the three deaths which occurred during a ten-week period between December 2008 and February 2009.
Following the third death in February, commanders launched a poster campaign calling for troops to keep a close watch on colleagues who appear to be exhibiting suicidal behaviour, mood swings and symptoms of PTSD.
One of the posters states: "Never let your mate fight alone. Worried about someone in your team? Be willing to listen. Not all wounds are visible".
The posters then calls on troops to: "Talk to your medical officer, Padre... Tell someone in your chain of command".
Another poster adds: "Never Accept defeat. Getting help is a sign of strength. No soldier stands alone. Your medical officer or Padre can help. Talk to someone in your chain of command."
Both posters also give details of a confidential "support lines" which can be accessible from anywhere in the world.
The exact circumstances surrounding the three deaths have not been established, although sources at the base said one of the soldiers had recently received a letter from his partner stating that their relationship was over.
Although it is possible that the wounds may have been self-inflicted accidentally, sources at the base believe all three were suicide.
The last of the three to die was Pte Wrathall of the 1st battalion the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment. His death came as a huge shock to his colleagues and is said to have left many of them in tears.
Pte Wrathall's commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Charlie Sykes said: "This is a unique Iraq tour. The city of Basra is at relative peace and we fully expect ours to be the last major British Army deployment to Iraq.
"This relative peace makes Private Wrathall's death even harder to come to terms with, as, much like the sandstorms we've experienced here in the desert, it comes out of a clear blue sky."
Cpl Churcher died at 10pm on Thursday 11 December while he was on his own at the Contingency Operating Base (COB) in Basra.
The MoD has confirmed that his death was now the subject of investigation by the SIB.
Cpl Churcher, who was involved in flying unmanned air vehicles and was a specialist in surveillance and reconnaissance, had planned to transfer to the RAF when he returned to the UK.
LCpl Wilson had become a father just 11 weeks before he was found dead on 4 December 2008. He was described as having a "positive and infectious" nature and a personality which "lifted" the atmosphere in any room he entered.
A senior officer based in Basra said: "The deaths of all of these guys came as a real shock.
"There have never been what we believe are suicides coming together in a relatively short period. If these were suicides – and all the indications are that they were, then signs were missed and that is something which should not have happened."
Suicide is a recognised symptom of PTSD and many former servicemen who have seen active service have taken their own lives.
At least 15 military personnel are believed to have taken their own lives after serving in Iraq and more veterans of the Falklands War have committed suicide than were actually killed in the war.
Lance Corporal Johnson Beharry recently criticised the government for failing soldiers who are suffering from PTSD after serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. LCpl Beharry, who was awarded the Victoria Cross for twice saving the lives of colleagues in Iraq while under heavy rocket fire, said that it was "disgraceful" that some veterans were struggling to receive treatment.
He said the Government was relying on military charities to cover its own deficiencies and called on it to act to better help the growing number of his comrades suffering from severe combat stress, depression and mental breakdowns.
He said; "These are people who have served this country. Why can't they get treatment? I don't think the Government is doing enough for soldiers.
"Those who are still serving get some form of help for combat stress but even those who are serving don't get enough support."
