Para from Crewe who killed himself on Afghan duty 'did not blame the Army'

By Gwyn Griffiths

7th Jan 2022 | Local News

Private Joseph Berry died in Kabul in February 2020 (Picture: British Army)
Private Joseph Berry died in Kabul in February 2020 (Picture: British Army)

A CORONER concluded that a young Crewe soldier serving with the elite Parachute Regiment took his own life on duty in Afghanistan in an "unprecedented and impulsive act".

Joseph Berry was discovered by his colleagues of 2 Para with a single gunshot wound to his head at the regiment's compound in Kabul on the morning of February 22, 2020.

A Glock pistol and a hand-written note was found near to the 21-year-old's body in a portaloo.

Cheshire Coroner Alan Moore said the note, while not read out at the Warrington inquest, had indicated in the soldier's own words "this was not an army problem or bullying".

An army investigation found no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death. Nor did it discover any mental health issues or episodes of self-harm concerning Private Berry.

The coroner said: "Joe gave no indication to anybody, nobody could have predicted what was going to happen and no-one could have done anything to anticipate or prevent it.

"Not Joe's mum an dad or his mates in 2 Para or Sergeant Major [Christopher] Groves."

The hearing heard yesterday how the Sgt. Major had reason to reprimand Pte Berry over issues with his rifle which he had taken to the camp's armoury to clear a blockage in its muzzle.

"That might have brought an end to the matter but Sergeant Major Groves was in the vicinity and had to speak to Joe about it. He was completely honest about the blockage and that he had also unloaded the weapon in his room," said the coroner.

The soldier was moved to tears after he was told he'd breached the regiment's "standing orders", as the latter task should have been completed in a designated loading area.

"He accepted he made a mistake which was characteristic of Joe," said the coroner. "The Sgt. Major said he [Pte Berry] appeared teary-eyed and disappointed with himself, but he told him not to worry about it and go about the rest of his day."

The hearing heard that any punishment the young soldier would have likely received for his transgression would have been no more than a "few extra duties".

"Of course, Joe would not have been aware of this at the time," noted the coroner.

Pte Berry later sent a Whats App message to his colleague Lieutenant Corporal Josh Brown detailing where he could be found.

The coroner's conclusion was that Pte Berry took his own life.

He said a regiment review into welfare policies was undertaken shortly after the death, but there would be no need for him to make a ruling to prevent future deaths.

Pte Berry, he said, had wanted "to be part of the maroon machine, the elite unit of the British Army".

"Joe set the bar high and he reached it. I've heard of his great courage and these are all found in members of the Parachute Regiment," said Mr Moore.

"He was well-liked and popular with his mates and there was no record of him being in any trouble during his time in the army."

The coroner concluded the hearing by referring to Pte Berry's mother, Lisa Snow's address yesterday (Wednesday) in which she described the soldier as "unique and inspirational…he loved life and he was so loved".

     

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