‘It could be us next,’ recruits warned after barracks death
THE father of a teenage soldier who died at Deepcut was warned by his son’s fellow recruits, ‘don’t let this lie, it could be one of us next,’ an inquest heard yesterday.
The plea was allegedly made at the funeral of Private Geoff Gray, 17, who was found with two gunshot wounds to his head and a ‘black eye’ after guard duty at the Surrey barracks in 2001.
The second inquest was ordered after his parents, who believe their son was murdered, won a High Court appeal.
Giving evidence on the opening day yesterday, Geoffrey Gray described how his son had been ‘Army barmy’ and was ‘living the dream’ after joining. Mr Gray said the family refused to believe their son had killed himself. He told Woking Coroner’s Court another soldier had said, ‘don’t let this lie, it could be one of us next’ at his son’s funeral.
The father also said some recruits suggested the teenager’s body had been moved after he died – although he added that those at the funeral appeared unable to speak freely as there ‘always seemed to be an officer within earshot’.
The original inquest’s open verdict, recorded in 2002, has now been quashed.
In a statement, Private Gray’s mother Diane said: ‘Geoff signed up to serve our country and it’s about time our country served him and let the truth be told.’ The new hearing, taking evidence from 95 witnesses, is expected to last seven weeks.
The teenager was one of four recruits to die in shootings at the base between 1995 and 2002 amid allegations of bullying.