A teenage soldier who escorted Queen Elizabeth II's coffin was found hanged in his barracks days later, an inquest has heard. Trooper Jack Burnell-Williams, 18, of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, died at Hyde Park Barracks in London on September 28, 2022.
Assistant coroner Bernard Richmond KC ruled his death was misadventure, saying the teenager was 'plainly under stress' due to 'frankly ridiculous hours' expected of his troop. He said Mr Burnell-Williams did not form a settled intention to kill himself, but acted 'in a moment of anguish' as 'an expression of frustration and despair'.
His mother Laura Williams said the Army must 'reflect and learn' from her son's death. She described an 'impossible working environment' where Jack worked 'gruelling hours' that left him exhausted. 'The light inside him slowly dimmed and his cheeky smile faded,' she said.
His father Daniel Burnell said: 'When she told me my whole world fell apart, my heart ripped from my chest. That is not a feeling any parent should ever go through.' The family said they were proud of his role in the late Queen's funeral.
Brigadier Rupert Evetts, commander of the Household Cavalry, offered condolences, saying Jack was 'a soldier with tremendous potential and enthusiasm'. The inquest heard he had wanted to join the Welsh Guards.
