A serving soldier from the Royal Welsh Regiment was discovered hanged in the garage of his Cardiff home while on authorised leave from the British Army, a coroner's court has heard.
Details of the Tragic Discovery
Lance Corporal Bryn Jenkins, aged 24, was found at an address in the Canton area of Cardiff on December 7. The inquest opening at Pontypridd Coroner's Court was told his body was identified by a friend before being transferred to the University Hospital of Wales for a post-mortem examination on December 10.
L/Cpl Jenkins was a qualified sniper serving with Delta (Fire Support) Company, 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh, based at Lucknow Barracks in Tidworth. He was on home leave at the time of his death.
An 'Adventurous Soul' Remembered
The army and his comrades have paid heartfelt tributes to the soldier, described as an 'adventurous, thoughtful soul' who brought 'endless humour' to his unit. His regiment noted he was a 'highly capable soldier and a key figure' within the Reconnaissance Platoon, also skilled as a warrior driver, which earned him the affectionate nickname 'Bryn Diesel'.
His former Platoon Commander, Captain Ed Wills-Wood, said he watched L/Cpl Jenkins 'go from strength to strength', qualifying as a sniper and growing as a junior leader. 'He was a large part of why my two years with the Platoon were easily the most enjoyable of my career,' Captain Wills-Wood stated, adding that Bryn's loss would leave an 'unfillable hole'.
Inquest Opened and Adjourned
Assistant coroner Kerrie Burge opened the inquest on Tuesday, December 16. A provisional medical cause of death was given as '1A: pressure on the neck consistent with hanging'.
Miss Burge offered her sincere condolences to L/Cpl Jenkins's family before adjourning the proceedings to a future date yet to be fixed. The full inquest will examine the circumstances surrounding his death.
Online tributes from friends and fellow servicemen remembered a man with a 'heart of gold', strength, and a constant drive to improve. One tribute read: 'I'll raise a glass for you tonight kid.'
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