Royal Navy sailor, 24, took his own life in base toilet cubicle just eight days after starting training

• Benjamin Thomas, 24, from Mold, Flintshire was found dead on January 31
• For help, call Samaritans for free on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org 

A 24-year-old Royal Navy sailor hanged himself in a toilet cubicle at his base just eight days after he started his training.

Leading hand Benjamin Thomas, from Mold, Flintshire, was found hanged at the HMS Raleigh shore base at Torpoint, Cornwall, on January 31st this year – having only started the course the previous week.   

An inquest heard that the 24-year-old fulfilled his lifelong ambition to join the Royal Navy and planned to gain an aeronautical degree.

But his family claimed he was ‘fixated’ and ’emotionally upset’ over an issue with his partner’s mother.

They added that there was a toxic atmosphere at his partner’s family farm in Wales, which left him ‘scared stiff’. 

Benjamin Thomas, from Mold, Flintshire was found at the HMS Raleigh shore base at Torpoint, Cornwall, on January 30

His partner Rhiannon Bartlett said that on January 28th, Benjamin rang her crying and feared she would be angry with him because of a ‘bit of a fall out’ with her mother.

He told her: ‘I messed up this morning’. But he did not disclose what happened or why he felt that way. 

Ms Bartlett said Benjamin seemed really happy at the base and also told his mother, Caroline Thomas, that the training was full on but ideal. 

His father Martin said Benjamin that when spoke to Rhiannon, he told her that he ‘was broken-hearted and ‘had ruined his chances of being team course leader’ but did not say ‘how or why’.

His mother said she was at a loss of what had happened between January 26th and 31st, saying she noticed a ‘sudden and catastrophic change’.

Martin added: ‘I do not know what could have been in Ben’s mind immediately prior to his death.’

His mother Caroline added: ‘Ben was so driven in fulfilling his dream’.

Around 60 male and female recruits a week take part in the ten week initial training course at HMS Raleigh (Pictured: Stock photo of Royal Navy recruits at their passing out parade at HMS Raleigh)

Rhiannon’s mother Julia said Benjamin was ‘polite and pleasant’ but she said he unfriended her family on social media which she thought was ‘cruel and selfish’ but Benjamin seemed obsessed with this and kept bringing it up including in the week he was at HMS Raleigh. 

Wrexham born Benjamin broke his ankle in a climbing accident which delayed his joining the Navy but he passed his medical to join up in the New Year.

The inquiry head that Benjamin excelled at outdoor events like marathon running, climbing and swimming. 

They told an inquest in Truro, Cornwall: ‘Ben was 100 per cent committed to joining the Royal Navy. His body was his temple and nothing was going to get in his way.’

Benjamin was found hanged in a toilet cubicle and attempts to resuscitate him failed.

Around 60 male and female recruits a week take part in the ten-week initial training course at HMS Raleigh with recruits aged between 19 to 37.

The senior Cornwall coroner Andrew Cox recorded a suicide conclusion.

If you need someone to talk to, call Samaritans for free on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org.

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