The British Army has been shaken by the passing of four young servicemen in just two months.
Three of the soldiers who suddenly died were members of the Royal Yorkshire Regiment, meanwhile the fourth was in the Queen’s Royal Hussars.
Of the three soldiers in the Royal Yorkshire Regiment, two are believed to have killed themselves.
Private Kieran Heaney, 20, and Private Josateki Kautani Matasere, 29, were the two brave servicemen believed to have taken their own lives.
Private Heaney, who served as a teenager in Afghanistan, was found dead in his room on January 4. While Private Matasere, known as Teki, is believed to have taken his own life while back home in Fiji.
Darlington native Private Heaney was the youngest soldier to be involved in the 2021 evacuation of Afghan civilians who had worked for the British state. He joined the military in 2019.
A mere 19 days before Private Heaney was discovered dead, Private Matasere, known to be a superb rugby league player also died. The 29-year-old soldier played for the Army’s team and had recently undertaken the highly challenging sniper operator cadre’s course.
According to a report in the Mail on Sunday, both men had served together in the battalion’s Alma Company. The MoD was reportedly insistent that the pairs deaths were not linked.
The publication claims that one of its sources within the battalion said that the men in Alma Company are deeply shaken by the double tragedy.
Text messages seen by the paper reportedly say: “It’s mental what the Army can do to you. Madness. That’s two in two weeks. Something needs to be said.”
Private Heaney was reportedly described by Lt Col Mike Wade-Smith as “brave, resilient, disciplined, friendly, fun, and courageous”.
He went on: “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.”
Army Rugby League chair, Lieutenant Colonel Richard Grover, said Private Matasere was “a tremendous talent and presence on the rugby field”.
He noted: “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.”
Meanwhile, Private Apisalome Rawaidranu, also a member of the Royal Yorkshire Regiment, in the 1st battalion, recently lost his life. However it is believed he died of “natural causes.”
The death of LCpl Simon Hosell, of the Queen’s Royal Hussars, is yet to be confirmed. He died on December 29.
LCpl Hosell was lauded last night by members of his regiment. He was described as an “outstanding soldier”. One said, simply: “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 now has had a hotline for soldiers suffering mentally, set up in 2018.
An Army Spokesperson said in a statement: “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.”
