General Sir Roly Walker, head of the British Army, has condemned the “shameful behavior” within its ranks following a surge of disturbing stories shared by over 1,000 women, sparked by the tragic suicide of 19-year-old Gunner Jaysley Beck.
His letter to senior officers, which has been made public, expresses his deep disgust after new allegations of sexual abuse came to light.
General Walker emphasized that such behavior is completely at odds with the Army’s values and standards.
A Heartbreaking Incident That Sparked Many to Speak Out
The letter from General Walker came in the wake of an ongoing inquest into the death of Gunner Beck, who was found dead at Larkhill Camp in Wiltshire on December 15, 2021.
Before her death, Beck had voiced concerns about inappropriate behavior from her colleagues, including a senior officer who had allegedly pinned her down and tried to kiss her, as well as a male colleague she described as “psychotic and possessive.”
She also feared that her phone had been hacked by one of these individuals.
Following her tragic passing, an Army service inquiry confirmed that an “intense period of unwelcome behavior” was a likely contributing factor to her death.
Since then, hundreds of women have come forward to share their own stories of harassment, abuse, and assault while serving in the military.
Social media posts have surfaced anonymously, detailing incidents of women being pinned down by male officers or men attempting to force their way into their colleagues’ rooms.
Stories of Harassment and Abuse From Women in the Military
One anonymous account described the fear felt when male soldiers tried to force entry into their rooms: “I used to hold my breath in my room at night when they were trying the door, to make them think I was out.”
Another woman recounted an experience when a male officer cornered her after she returned from the toilet: “I was pinned against the wall, and he dropped his towel, telling me that he ‘knew exactly what I needed.’”
General Walker’s letter, which was distributed to senior officers on Valentine’s Day, responded to these unsettling reports.
“You will all have seen the messages on social media over the past few days,” he wrote.
“These report numerous allegations of appalling and shameful behavior in our ranks. I hope, like me, you are disgusted by what is being written.”
He also made it clear that the Army leadership must do more to address these serious issues, stressing that “it is even worse if the Chain of Command is not doing enough or is actively complicit in this.”
The Death of Gunner Beck and the Investigation Into Harassment
The tragic death of Gunner Beck has brought renewed attention to the abuse and harassment suffered by women in the military.
In the months leading up to her death, Beck was subjected to over 4,000 WhatsApp messages from Bombardier Ryan Mason, her supervisor, who had previously booked hotel rooms for both of them during a work trip.
Beck’s mother, Leighann McCready, expressed her heartbreak after her daughter’s death, stating, “She was more than a soldier.
She was a daughter, a sister, a friend. She was kind, bright, full of life.
She should still be here.”
An investigation by Wiltshire Police examined the harassment claims made by Gunner Beck’s mother, including the 3,600 messages sent by Mason.
However, the police concluded that the evidence did not meet the threshold for criminal harassment, citing that the time limit for prosecution had expired.
Struggles with the Army’s Response to the Allegations
Despite the tragic events surrounding Gunner Beck’s death, the military’s response to the allegations of harassment and abuse has raised questions.
Last week, Warrant Officer Michael Webber, who had been accused of attempting to kiss Beck during a training exercise, declined to answer questions at the inquest.
Webber had received a minor administrative penalty but was later promoted to the highest rank of Warrant Officer Class 1.
Another individual, George Higgins, a former sergeant, also refused to answer questions about his alleged inappropriate relationship with Beck when she was a recruit in Harrogate.
The lack of accountability in these cases continues to frustrate many who have called for deeper reforms within the Army.
The Inquest Continues as the Army Faces Scrutiny
The inquest into Gunner Beck’s death is ongoing, and the Army’s handling of the case is under intense scrutiny.
As the Army leadership grapples with these disturbing revelations, General Walker has called for a more proactive approach to eliminate abuse within the ranks.
“Stand up and play your part as a leader, visibly and confidently, to stop this,” he urged in his letter to senior officers.
As the inquest moves forward, it remains to be seen what actions will be taken to ensure that women in the military can serve without the fear of harassment and abuse.
Gunner Beck’s tragic story, along with the voices of hundreds of other women who have come forward, is amplifying calls for change and accountability within the armed forces.