The Army has been rocked by the sudden deaths of FOUR young soldiers in the last two months, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.
Three of those who died were all members of the Royal Yorkshire Regiment, while a fourth was serving with the Queen’s Royal Hussars.
Two of the dead were colleagues serving in the second battalion of the Royal Yorkshire Regiment, based in Chester. Both soldiers are believed to have taken their own lives.
Private Kieran Heaney, 20, who had served on operations in Afghanistan as a teenager, was found dead inside his barrack room on January 4.
Private Josateki Kautani Matasere, known as Teki, died from a suspected suicide
LCpl Simon Hosell, a member of the Queen’s Royal Hussars, died on December 29. The cause of death is yet to be determined
Pte Heaney, from Darlington, had joined the Army in 2019 and was the youngest soldier to take part in the 2021 evacuation of Afghan civilians who had worked for the British government.
His death came 19 days after his comrade Private Josateki Kautani Matasere, known as Teki, died from a suspected suicide while back visiting his home island of Fiji.
The 29-year-old soldier was an outstanding rugby league player and a member of the Army team and had recently attended the demanding sniper operator cadre’s course.
Both Heaney and Matasere had previously served together in the battalion’s Alma Company but Ministry of Defence sources have insisted that there is nothing to link to two deaths.
A source from within the battalion, however, said that members of the battalion were stunned by the double tragedy.
Text messages seen by the Mail On Sunday state: ‘It’s mental what the Army can do to you. Madness. That’s two in two weeks. Something needs to be said.’
Another member of the regiment added: ‘How can the Army not see what’s going on.’
Lt Col Mike Wade-Smith, the commanding officer of 2 Yorks, described Pte Heaney as ‘brave, resilient, disciplined, friendly, fun, and courageous’.
Private Kieran Heaney, 20, who had served on operations in Afghanistan as a teenager, was found dead inside his barrack room on January 4
Private Apisalome Rawaidranu, a third member of the Royal Yorkshire Regiment serving with the 1st battalion died but from what have been described as ‘natural causes’
He added ‘Private Heaney had already demonstrated all these qualities in the operational and sporting arenas. Selfless in his service he will be missed by all members of the Battalion.’
The chairman of Army Rugby League, Lieutenant Colonel Richard Grover, described Pte Matasere as ‘a tremendous talent and presence on the rugby field’ .
He added: ‘In just two seasons he saw success with the Yorkshire Regiment, became a champion with the Infantry, represented the Army and delivered scintillating and memorable performances.’
Private Apisalome Rawaidranu, a third member of the Royal Yorkshire Regiment serving with the 1st battalion died but from what have been described as ‘natural causes.’
LCpl Simon Hosell, a member of the Queen’s Royal Hussars, died on December 29. The cause of death is yet to be determined.
Last night members of his regiment praised LCpl Hosell describing him as an ‘outstanding soldier’. One said: ‘Can’t believe you’re gone mate.
The impact you had on everyone you met was outstanding. Full of laughter, banter and happiness. Rest easy now your demons are gone.’
The MoD set up a 24 hour hotline for troops suffering from combat stress after a campaign by the Mail on Sunday in 2018, prompted by a wave of suicides by serving soldiers.
But Colonel Phil Ingram a former Army Intelligence officer, last night said more needs to be done.
He said: ‘The problem of suicide in the armed forces is now becoming acute and there needs to be a thorough investigation into why young men and women a in the armed forces keep on taking their own lives.
‘The military are very quick to say suicide rates amongst serving personnel and veterans are no higher than the national average.
‘It is and remains a disgrace that the MoD cherry picks statistics to avoid looking into issues that are killing our service personnel and veterans.’
Former Army Warrant Officer Jim Wilde, who campaigns for veterans rights, added: ‘Since 2018, almost 450 serving and former members of the armed forces have taken their own lives.
‘In any other population group that would be regarded as a disaster but it seems to be fine to allow suicide to be part of life in the armed forces.
‘More needs to be done to prevent young servicemen and women from taking their own lives
An Army Spokesperson said: ‘The death of any of our people is a tragedy that is deeply felt across the Armed Forces community.
‘We recognise the profound impact that this has on families and friends and will always ensure that they are fully supported by trained officers and their Regimental network.’
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