A dad tragically died just weeks before his little girl was born.
Nicki Hart was preparing to welcome his daughter into the world but struggled with his mental health and desperately needed help.
A soldier with the Fourth Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, he had been on tours abroad in places such as Afghanistan and Iraq.
WalesOnline reports his suffering was worsened by the death of one of another soldier and one his best friends who is thought to have taken his own life.
He tried getting help but two days after speaking to a doctor about his struggles and ahead of a follow-up appointment, Nicki was found dead.
A coroner ruled at an inquest hearing he had he taken his own life at the age of 33.
Now Jamie Hart-Dobbs, Nicki's sister has spoken of the devastation the family felt after her brother's death on February 5 and their desperate attempt to get answers surrounding his death.
The family also claim there should be more support for serving soldiers in the Army.
Nicki, from Rhondda, Wales, first joined the Army as part of the reserves in 2010 but loved it so much he decided to sign up full-time.
He grew up with his dad's stories of his time in the reserves and wanted to follow in his footsteps.
Jamie said: "There was not a lot for him around here and he didn't want to go down the path that so many other boys do.
"He probably felt that he would if he didn't do something for himself. He started out and did his basic training and he went straight to Afghanistan.
" ITV actually went out there with his regiment and they were filming them. He made a few appearances on the news.
"It was funny sometimes having an update from him on the news instead of on the phone. We didn't really hear from him much but we would send him care packages.
"He was always asking for Nescafe Azera – he would say he was desperate for a good cup of coffee.
"As much as he loved what he did – he was so proud of being a soldier – but he loved Wales.
"He would take a Welsh flag wherever he went. It's hard to categorise Nicki – he was the life of the party but he was a determined person as well.
"If he wanted something he knew how to get it, how to work for it."
Nicki met his wife Sara, 36, when he was working in Inverness. Scotland.
Jamie added: "He went to the doctor first in September and then in October.
"It was not something that happened over a few days – it was months and months. That is the most frustrating thing – he did speak up, he was telling people, he was doing everything they tell you to do.
"He wanted help before he did this. He would text and call me in the early hours of the morning – even now when I get a late message I still think it is him," said Jamie.
He was based in Inverness with his family working in recruitment when his friend died in August but he returned to Catterick Garrison barracks in North Yorkshire in the autumn.
He had medical review in September 2021 around the same time he attempted suicide.
In late January 2022 Nicki was referred to the Department of Community Mental Health, which provide military centres dedicated to treating serving Armed Forces personnel.
Nicki attended an appointment with the mental health team on February 3 with a follow-up planned for four days later, but he was found dead in his room on February 5.
Sara said: "I'll never forget getting the phone call to tell me he had died. It felt like my whole world had crumbled from under me and I didn’t know how to deal with it myself, let alone tell our children.
"Our grief is made worse by the many questions we have surrounding Nicki’s death and whether more could have been done to help him.
"To find out that Nicki was one of several men to have died at this specific Army base in such a short timeframe is truly shocking.
“I know hearing evidence about what happened to Nicki will be incredibly difficult but it’s something I need to do to honour his memory and get the answers we’re looking for.
"We also urge that any issues found within the Army are taken seriously and improvements are made to help prevent other families from suffering like we have.
"Sadly there’s still a taboo around mental health, particularly in men, and we hope that sharing our story will raise awareness. If it helps just one person it’s been worthwhile.”
Sara called Jamie to deliver the awful news of her brother's death and Jamie said: "I didn't realise your heart could hurt so much but still beat."
Jamie added: "As soon as I saw her it was such a powerful feeling – I could see Nicki staring back at me.
"She is the absolute image of him. I was just thinking: 'I am so happy to be here but I shouldn't be here in these circumstances.' It was happy and tears, happy and tears.
"He was a brilliant dad – his son Kian was his shadow, he did not go anywhere without him. He was always calling him, talking about him."
*If you're struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email jo@samaritans.org or visit their site to find your local branch
