A decorated soldier took his own life after being ‘ordered’ to return to barracks and leave his family, an inquest heard.
Charlie Owen, 25, a lance corporal in the Welsh Guards, had served two tours in Iraq and Afghanistan before his mental health began to deteriorate in August 2023.
Had had previously made two suicide attempts before he received orders to leave home and return to the army.
The inquest heard how Owen -who had received a King’s Coronation Medal and a Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal – began to feel isolated after friends left the army and others died of suicide.
Owen of Meidrim, Carmarthenshire in Wales, was already struggling with mental health issues following the breakdown of his relationship.
He had shared his desire to leave the army with doctors following an aborted attempt at ending his life a week before his death on, September 10, 2023, and had also told the Army GP that his family were the reason he had not committed suicide.
Speaking after the hearing at Berkshire Coroners Court, Owen’s mother, Tracy Evans, said their lives had been ‘changed forever’ and his death ‘should never have happened’.
Coroner Robert Simpson concluded a decision to call the soldier back to the army, following his aborted suicide attempts, combined with the failure to properly assess and manage risks of self-harm ‘may possibly have contributed to his death.’
Charlie Owen (pictured), 25, a lance corporal in the Welsh Guards, had served two tours in Iraq and Afghanistan before taking his life on September 10, 2023
Owen had already made two suicide attempts when he was ordered to leave his family and return to barracks
During a medical assessment, he expressed his desire to be medically discharged and it was agreed that the army was no longer the best place for him.
A month before this, he had attended an exit interview with the Army as he had indicated a desire to leave.
Following a risk assessment, officials then recalled the ‘valued member of the battalion’ back to his Windsor barracks in an attempt to monitor his wellbeing.
The inquest found there were failures to communicate the appropriate risk management information to officers in his unit who called him back and away from his family in Wales.
Owen’s mother, Tracy Evans, said: ‘Charlie had always dreamed of serving his country and was extremely proud to have done so.
‘He had wanted to be a soldier since he was a little boy and we were desperately proud of him.
‘The Army played such an important role in his life but when he was asked to return to camp, it made him feel demoralised.
‘Losing him has been devastating. I am never going to meet his grandchildren, we, as a family, will never attend his wedding and his sister and brothers’ children will never meet their Uncle Charlie.
Owen’s mother, Tracy Evans, said their lives had been ‘changed forever’ and his death ‘should never have happened’
The inquest heard how Owen had begun to feel isolated after friends had left the regiment and others had died by suicide
‘I have not only lost my child but also my hero and my whole world. It should never have happened and as a result, our family has changed forever.
‘Never again will we see that infectious smile of his, nor hear that outrageous laugh that only Charlie boy had.
Tracy added: ‘We are incomplete without him but the love for our Charlie boy will remain forever more.’
Mr Del Monte, of Hodge Jones & Allen, acted for Charlie’s mother Tracy Evans, and his stepfather Rob Evans at the inquest.
He said: ‘It is clear from the coroner’s findings that there was a lack of understanding within the Welsh Guards command structure of how to appropriately manage and communicate the risk of harm relating to their soldiers.
‘Although his officers no doubt had the best of intentions, the fact that they did not appreciate the impact of taking Charlie away from his family and placing him back into an environment he wanted to leave could only have increased Charlie’s distress and the risk to his life, which is as tragic as it was avoidable.
‘Our men and women in the armed forces face unique stresses and those responsible for them must be able to make the correct decisions with the correct information to protect them.’
An Army spokesperson said: ‘Our thoughts and sympathies remain with the family and friends of Lance Corporal Charlie Owen at this sad and difficult time.
‘Charlie served his country with pride and dedication and we’re conscious of the profound effect his loss has had – and continues to have – on his loved ones and his many military friends and colleagues.
‘We acknowledge and respect the Assistant Coroner for Berkshire’s findings and will ensure any shortcomings highlighted are carefully assessed.’
For confidential support, call Samaritans on 116 123, visit samaritans.org or visit https://www.thecalmzone.net/get-support
