Jack Burnell-Williams Inquest
Today, the inquest into the death of Jack Burnell-Williams concluded that he died by misadventure whilst serving in the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment on 28 September 2022. This conclusion is used when a deliberate human act unexpectedly, and unintentionally, goes wrong.
In his summing up the coroner felt that Jack was in a situation that he wanted to escape from and that he did not have a settled intention to take his own life. He said that whatever Jack did ‘was in a moment of anguish’ and that it was ‘more likely an expression of frustration and despair’ because things seemed ‘very dark’. The coroner gave tribute to his family and girlfriend, who were loving and supportive and who’s devotion has shone throughout the inquest process. He considered that Jack would not have wanted to leave them behind.
Jack was just 18 years old when he died. The inquest explored what stressors were on him at the time of his death by virtue of his service. The inquest heard that Jack was ordered to undertake more duties than any other trooper due to him being a ‘safe pair of hands’ and ‘dependable’ but this meant he was working well in excess of the Working Time Regulations. The coroner commented that he was working ‘frankly ridiculous hours’.
The Service Inquiry into Jack’s death, which is due to be published today, identified fourteen factors that contributed to or caused Jack’s death and made 36 recommendations.
In reaction to the coroner’s conclusion and the service inquiry, an Army spokesperson apologised to Jack’s family and admitted they had failed Jack and they had failed his family.
The inquest heard how he was a warm, funny young man who was at the centre of his family. His mother described him as ‘someone you couldn’t help but love.’
My firm is privileged to have represented Jack’s mother at the inquest into his death. Our priority has always been to understand what happened and, where necessary, ensure changes are made so that no other family has to go through what Jack’s family has endured.
