SUICIDES IN ONE UNIT
WAR-BATTERED REGIMENT’S HELL
THE regiment which suffered the most casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan also has the Army’s worst suicide rate.
Sixty-six soldiers from The Rifles were killed in action in both wars while a further 344 were wounded, say official figures.
And in the past four years at least 26 members of the infantry regiment have taken their own lives, according to Veterans United Against Suicide.
One, Captain Gary Case, 50, is believed to have taken his own life in 2019 just weeks after he received an MBE from the Queen.
Warrant Officer Jim Wilde, one of the founders of VUAS, said: “The data recorded over the last four years reveals categorically that The Rifles have a suicide rate far higher than any other unit. This is a direct consequence of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“The Ministry of Defence should have done more to help veterans and serving members of the regiment.”
General Sir Patrick Sanders, 55, one of the most senior commanders in the
Army and a former Rifles officer, revealed earlier this year that he had contemplated suicide after a violent tour and urged soldiers and veterans to get help.
He said: “I found myself obsessing about experiences, dwelling on photographs, video clips, letters, replaying in my mind what happened in a dark and obsessive way.
“These thoughts took me to a dark place. When I caught myself at two in the morning with a bottle of wine or whisky next to me, I realised that I needed help.”
The MOD said a “wealth of mental health and support” was available, while work is ongoing to gather data on trends.
It added: “This will provide evidence to support further changes to prevention and intervention activity and the provision of post-event support.”
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