At least three veterans and a serving soldier have died in suspected suicides since the Queen ’s death.
One veteran posted the message, “Really sorry” online hours before his death. Charities believe the monarch’s passing has worsened underlying trauma faced by vulnerable former troops.
The three vets served on the front line and had suspected mental health problems. At least 42 veterans and serving members of the forces have died in suspected suicides this year and almost 400 since 2017. The serving soldier, in the Royal Regiment of Scotland, died on September 10, less than 48 hours after the Queen’s death was announced.
The death of a veteran in his late 30s followed two days later. Just hours earlier he had posted online: “Really sorry.”
Another victim, ex-member of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical and Engineers Tom Thacker, 34, of Leek, Staffs, served in Afghanistan and struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder, sources said.
Colin McKerrell, 58, a former member of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, from Irvine, Ayrshire, is believed to have taken his life the evening after the Queen’s funeral.
His body was discovered just hours after a public appeal to find him. Ex-Army Warrant Officer Brian Capstick, who helps run a veteran support charity, said: “The period of national mourning has impacted our most vulnerable significantly. Underlying grief traumas being triggered and compounded has been a big factor.”
The Sunday People ’s Save Our Soldiers campaign is calling for an overhaul of how the MoD deals with serving personnel and veterans’ mental health.
The Samaritans is available 24/7 if you need to talk. You can contact them for free by calling 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org or head to the website to find your nearest branch. You matter.
