Marine's death linked to military suicide fears

Tuesday 03 July 2018

The death of a Guernseyman who had served in the Royal Navy has been linked to wider fears over troops suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder taking their own lives.

Last weekend's Mail on Sunday reported on the death of Special Boat Service Trooper Alex Tostevin, alongside statistics which suggest that over the course of this year, UK based troops who served in Iraq and Afghanistan have killed themselves at a rate of one every 13 days.

Trooper Tostevin; who was from Guernsey, died in the UK on Sunday 18 March aged 28. An inquest to determine the cause of his death is due to be held in the future. No cause of death has yet been reported and the circumstances surrounding his death have been kept private.

His parents, sister and grandmother laid him to rest in April at a service held at the Vale Church. His fellow Marines formed an official guard of honour while a number of service personnel and other members of the military were also in attendance to pay tribute. The service included a fly past.

Pictured: Trooper Tostevin's funeral as reported by Express. You can read the full report here.

Mr Tostevin had served in the Royal Marines for the majority of his adult life, until his sudden death in March.

During his time in the military he saw active service in Afghanistan, and most notably, was given honourable mention for outstanding bravery while on tour in Sangin in 2010 after he was shot in the head.

At the time, the bullet skirted the inside of his helmet and he fell to the floor, but he dismissed the wound as a scratch and returned fire, allowing two of his comrades to get to safety. He was said to have been over the moon when he heard the news. 

The citation said: "Tostevin remained steadfast at his sentry position. He only sought medical assistance once the patrol was out of danger, by which time he was suffering with deep shock."

The Mail on Sunday report; published on Sunday 1 July, has also confirmed Mr Tostevin served in the Special Boat Service, which has its headquarters in Poole on the south coast of England, where he is reported to have died. 

The newspaper also claimed Trooper Tostevin is one of 12 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans "feared to have killed themselves in 2018." The Mail on Sunday said his parents declined to comment when approached. Express also made contact with the MOD, requesting to pass a message to Mr and Mrs Tostevin ahead of publishing this article. 

The Mail on Sunday report focused on the closure of a Facebook page called 'Fill Your Boots UK" which was described as a "page used by desperate soldiers seeking support for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder" which the newspaper report said was "leading to fears it is putting lives at risk."

The newspaper said the "social media giant closed Fill Your Boots UK (FYB UK) after claiming its content, which included discussions with mentally ill soldiers who were considering ending their lives, breached ‘community’ guidelines.

"Soldiers suffering from combat induced traumas after serving in Iraq and Afghanistan would post ‘cries for help’ on the page on an almost daily basis according to its founder, ex-paratrooper Alfie Usher. 

"FYB UK would then issue SOS messages, asking other veterans to rush to their aid."

However, Mr Usher told the Mail on Sunday that last week the page was "dramatically shut down without warning" after an exchange of messages between Mr Usher and a former soldier who threatened to kill himself in reaction to the deaths of two of his soldiers in Afghanistan.

Mr Usher told the newspaper that he believes the conversation might have triggered an automatic block on the page. The newspaper said he told moderators in a series of phone calls and emails that the page provided a lifeline for troops with mental and emotional disorders, but they still refused to unblock it.

Mr Usher, 30, told the Mail on Sunday: "Facebook’s actions have put soldiers’ lives at risk. Guys use the page to express feelings which are really troubling them. 

"They’re desperate for help. It is very hard for them to discuss issues relating to their experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan with their families. 

"They’d rather talk to people they meet on FYB UK who have probably experienced the same thing.

"I tried explaining this to Facebook but they just ignored me. I don’t think they realise the consequences this could have."

Pictured: The Mail on Sunday report, which can be read here.

It is not known whether Mr Tostevin used the 'Fill Your Boots UK' page. The inquest which will determine the cause of his death will be held in the UK in the future.