A British Staff Sergeant praised for his bravery while touring Iraq and Afghanistan with the SAS has sadly taken his own life.
Staff Sergeant Jamie Ferguson, 36, made a video in his final moments on June 18 in which he said: “I asked for help but no one was listening. They didn’t understand.”
SSgt Ferguson, who shot himself at the Leuchars military base in Fife, Scotland, was the fifth military man to take his own life in a week.
Since the beginning of lockdown in the United Kingdom, it is believed more than 13 serving or former members of the British armed forces have taken their own lives.
His widow Sammi told the Sunday Mirror: “My husband asked for help but was ignored. The Ministry of Defence is in denial over military suicides. How many more soldiers and veterans need to die before the MoD does something?
“The MoD’s behaviour over military suicides is a scandal. The government should be ashamed of themselves. These are soldiers who were mentally traumatised in the service of this country and have been disowned by the MoD.
“My husband should be alive today. There will be Army wives who think their husbands are fine but who are planning to kill themselves. The MoD behaves as though this isn’t an issue.”
SSgt Ferguson, from Leicestershire, joined the army at 16, rising to the Royal Army Medical Corps and eventually serving the SAS between 2008 and 2012.
An Army spokesperson said: “We were deeply saddened to hear about the death of Jamie Ferguson and our thoughts remain with his family and friends at this difficult time.
“His Regiment and Police Scotland are fully cooperating as they investigate the circumstances that led to his death.
“As this is ongoing it would be inappropriate for us to comment further.”
SSgt Ferguson, from Leicestershire, joined the army at 16, rising to the Royal Army Medical Corps and eventually serving the SAS between 2008 and 2012.
On behalf of the whole team at UNN I would like to send our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Staff Sergeant Jamie Ferguson, thank you for your service to our nation RIP.
Editor-in-Chief | Carl D. Pearson has been involved in British politics and media from an early age, with the key knowledge of what it takes to run a news organisation for the 21st century. Mr Pearson, as Editor-in-chief, is responsible for supervising the daily tasks of publishing media and content to UNN’s website and various platforms.
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