MoD Settles Civil Case With Mother Who Can’t Forgive The Army For ‘Killing Her Son’

The mother of a decorated soldier who took his own life after being ordered back to barracks said she will never forgive the army for ‘killing her son’ as she settles a civil case with the Ministry of Defence.

Tracy Evans, whose son Charlie Owen took his own life after feeling ‘demoralised’ by army life, believes the Lance Corporal would still be alive if the Welsh Guards had listened to her family and let her 25-year-old son stay home with his support network following multiple suicide attempts.

An inquest in November 2024 at Berkshire Coroner’s Court concluded that the decision to call back the decorated soldier,  who had received a King’s Coronation Medal and a Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal for his service during tours in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria, 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’.

Tracy, who was represented by lawyers at Hodge Jones & Allen, said, “Charlie dedicated his life to fighting on the front line for Wales and was a decorated soldier for a reason. Yet, since he has passed away, we feel as if he has been forgotten by his superiors and the organisation he once cherished. Disappointed, angry, and upset do not cover what we feel as a family. We have now washed our hands of the Army – we want nothing more to do with them.

“My husband, Rob, raised Charlie from the age of three, and as far as we are concerned, they killed our son, and we have to suffer every day with the knowledge that the thing he loved so deeply is the reason he is no longer here. Charlie told an army nurse that his family was his safety net, but that information was not shared correctly. We can’t get over that, and we never will.

“I had strong hopes, following the inquest, that the army would review its training to help identify the risk of suicide and they would bring families into conversations so loved ones can be supported from both sides. I understand that soldiers are adults, but family support is still incredibly important. We know our children.”

Charlie, who joined the force at the tender age of 17, was struggling with mental health issues following the breakdown of his relationship and feelings of isolation after many of his friends had left the Army and others had died by suicide in 2023.

During a medical assessment, the soldier from Meidrim, Carmarthenshire, told army doctors of his deteriorating mental health and that his family was the reason he had aborted a previous suicide attempt, just a week before his death on September 11, 2023.

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, but failed to communicate the appropriate risk management information to his unit.

As a result, Charlie returned to an empty barracks the night before he was due to report to the battalion’s welfare officers, where he tragically ended his own life.

A Prevention of Future Deaths Report published by the Assistant Coroner for Berkshire, Robert Simpson, raised three areas of concern following the inquest.

First, the guidance in the Army’s Vulnerability Risk Management (VRM) process – the preventative strategy used to identify and manage personnel at risk of suicide or self-harm – does not ‘check in’ with at risk soldiers on their return to the unit. Second, the absence of mandatory suicide prevention training. Third, relevant information, such as protective factors, is not always shared between mental health services and the Chain of Command.

Tracy, a 53-year-old nurse, said: “Families should be involved in supporting soldiers and included in welfare discussions when they are showing signs of suicide and mental health struggles like Charlie. I fear for other parents and loved ones if things do not change.

“We were buoyed by the hope that the army would deeply consider the concerns we and the coroner raised – that is why we fought. We fought for Charlie, but also to protect other soldiers and their families, and we truly believed they would listen to us and make the changes.

“We are, however, unclear whether they have made strides to take our views on board and whether real change has been actioned, following the Prevention of Future Deaths Report.

“Ever since Charlie was a little boy, he wanted to fight for his country and be on the front line. I admired him deeply for his courage and incredible bravery.

“We still speak to many of the friends he made in the service. They have told us wonderful stories of how he was referred to as ‘Grandad’ because he was one of the oldest in the troop and went out of his way to help and protect others.

“That is the Charlie we want to remember.”

Sebastian Del Monte, civil liberties lawyer at Hodge Jones & Allen, who successfully brought the claim on behalf of Charlie’s family, said: “This was a tragic death of a young patriotic man who had dedicated his life to an organisation that sadly let him down at his most vulnerable hour.

“Our armed forces face some of the most harrowing and complex psychological battles in society. The correct processes must be in place to support our service personnel when they are at risk of suicide or self-harm. There is no doubt that in Charlie’s case, many did recognise the risks; however, failures in processes and communication resulted in a young serviceman’s death.

“Our client pursued this case in the hope that changes would be made to ensure the safety and wellbeing of current future personnel.”

The MoD responded to the PFD report in February 2025, highlighting the steps they are taking to address concerns.
The civil case settled for a five-figure sum.

Tracy added: “I have been in touch with other bereaved army families and go to meetings twice a year. Sadly, my feelings are echoed by many of them. I hope that changes are made and more soldiers return home to their loved ones.”