Two soldiers found dead within hours of each other in Salisbury Plain tragedies

Two soldiers are believed to have taken their own lives within hours of each other at military bases on Salisbury Plain, it emerged on Christmas Day.

The Ministry of Defence confirmed that it was investigating the deaths of Gunner Jaysley-Louise Beck, 19, and Lance Corporal Michael Joseph Miah, 28. Their bodies were found on two separate Wiltshire bases on December 15.

Wiltshire Police said there were not believed to be any suspicious circumstances in either case.

Gunner Beck, from 14 Regiment Recruitment Team, was found by her colleagues in her room at Larkhill. She was not married.

L/Cpl Miah, from the Household Cavalry, was found dead in his garage at Bulford. He was married.

Two separate inquests at Salisbury were opened and adjourned last week. Each hearing was told that a post mortem examination found the cause of death for each soldier was hanging.

Since 2018, at least five deaths at army bases on Salisbury Plain were found to have been suicides by the local coroner.

Soldier was ‘full of energy, care and kindness’

The sister of L/Cpl Miah posted a tribute to her “beautiful baby brother” who was “full of energy, care and kindness” on Facebook. She wrote how the family was “shocked and deeply devastated” by their loss.

She added: “However, sometimes the biggest smiles have the saddest hearts. I want to take this time to let everyone know that it’s okay to not be okay. It’s okay to struggle. It’s okay to be sad.

“But, let someone know; a stranger, a family member, a helpline, anyone. If this message could save one person from feeling the pain in my heart, I would write a million messages.”

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said it was with “great sadness” that they confirmed the death of the two soldiers at Bulford and Larkhill.

“As there are ongoing investigations, it would be inappropriate to comment further, but any death is a tragedy and our sympathies remain with the families and friends of those affected,” they said.

“We are committed to the mental health and wellbeing of our Armed Forces. All personnel are supported by dedicated medical services, which include a 24-hour mental health helpline, resilience training before, during, and after deployments, and annual mandatory mental health training.”

If you have been affected by any of the issues in this story, you can call the Samaritans for free on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org