We sometimes find a death to be rather puzzling, especially when there are some strange coincidences surrounding it. That is how many people feel after Royal Artillery Gunner Jaysley Beck was found dead at her base camp in Wiltshire, UK.
The 19-year-old soldier made a phone call that raised some alarms a few months before she was found dead in December 2021. She called that base camp after being ‘scared’ by what her inquest was told was a ‘psychotic and possessive’ commander.
According to what is being reported, Bombardier Ryan Mason made her feel uncomfortable at work and she felt trapped. She was worried that he had somehow got into her mobile phone and hacked it.
In October 2023, a service inquiry published a report that is described as ‘an intense period of unwelcome behaviour’. The report also mentioned that they felt it was a factor in her death.
Details surrounding the death also came in light of a complaint made against a senior officer, Battery Sergeant Major Michael Webber. She was receiving adventure training exercises during his stay at Thorley Island in Hampshire in July 2021.
Lance Bombardier Kirsty Davis had trained with Beck at the time and recalls that she received a phone call in the early hours of the morning. During the conversation, Gunnar Beck said that ‘something happened that night, they were all having a few drinks, someone tried it on with her’.
Lance Bombardier Davis went on to say: “He was trying to kiss her and she was trying to push him away, he was pinning her down.”
At that time, Lance Bombardier received some 20 missed calls from Beck before she was able to speak with her. She was on a ‘sleeping guard’ at the time.
It was said that Gunnar Beck did not want the phone call to come to an end that evening and she wanted to stay on the phone ‘all night’.
Lance Bombardier Davis said: “I think she was afraid he was going to come to the car I remember him saying she was amazing and beautiful. I know this because Jaysley hated compliments and it made her feel awkward.”
She also confided in her friend that he had tried to force himself on her a few times and she told him no and tried to get away, but he was persistent.
Davis added: “I do not know if he actually kissed her or tried to, I do not remember if Jaysley said he had touched her or not.
“Jaysley was in tears, she was upset. I think she was just frightened at what was going on and she was crying, just a little bit.”
After Webber wrote a letter of apology to back, he was subject to a ‘minor sanction’ and she complained. Davis said: “Jaysley wasn’t happy with what had happened but if you are in the Army and a lower rank, no-one will believe you, especially against a higher rank.
“She didn’t want to get into trouble or cause a drama.”
