‘Absolute devastation’ after death of former Royal Irish soldier Brett Savage

A military veteran who was outspoken about the mental health problems which he faced has been remembered as a friendly, smiling, yet troubled man following his sudden death.
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UUP MLA Mr Beattie has spoken of his devastation following the news, adding that it is the second suicide of a soldier who had served under him within the space of just six weeks.

Mr Savage had previously featured both in the News Letter and on the BBC.

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In an interview in July 2018, he told News Letter reporter Philip Bradfield of the troubles he had faced as a result of his deployments.

Brett Savage pictured at the office of group Beyond the Battlefield in Newtownards, 2018Brett Savage pictured at the office of group Beyond the Battlefield in Newtownards, 2018
Brett Savage pictured at the office of group Beyond the Battlefield in Newtownards, 2018

He served in Helmand with the Royal Irish Regiment, was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and was medically discharged in 2017.

He had suffered flashbacks and nightmares, became aggressive, and ended up living in his car.

He told the News Letter in 2018: “It took me to drugs and drink, trying to find the adrenaline that I was missing.”

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But he added: “My life’s improved. I’ve got a house, I got clothes, food, benefits, girlfriend... I’m smiling more. I can be happier more.”

In terms of his battlefield experience, he said: “I have been blown up. I was shot in the chest plate.

“I have seen intestines hanging out, my mate’s blood spurting out, seen people shot, had other people’s blood squirt in my face, seen phosphorus grenades land on people. I have seen it all.”

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DUP MP Jim Shannon knew him too, and said he will be remembered for his “big smile” and was “always pleasant, but always troubled”.

Mr Beattie said that the reasons for Mr Savage’s death are not known, and there could be a multitude of factors.

However, he also stressed that help is available to former soldiers if they they feel troubled.

Mr Savage’s death was revealed by Doug Beattie on Twitter on Saturday night.

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“Reflective evening having been informed a second soldier I formally commanded has taken his own life within six weeks of the first,” he had written.

“The demons are always present, the help is there, the hard part is asking for it. It’s ok not to be ok. #MentalHealth.”

He said the other fatality had been a serving corporal in the Army, also in his early 30s.

And talking to the News Letter, Mr Beattie said he classed both soldiers as “friends and colleagues”, and their loss is “absolutely devastating”.

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He said: “I’m not speculating as to why they took their own lives. There can be multiple reasons why they did that – I do not know.

“All I’m saying is that I’m devastated because I served with them and regardless of their reasons for taking their lives, their employers – the Ministry of Defence – has a duty towards them... to look after them during their service and after their service.

“I feel their loss deeply.”

He said that the support systems for ex-soldiers should “help these people deal with the demons they obviously have”, adding that military commanders should heed the cases of the two young men.

Jim Shannon, DUP MP for Strangford, knew him too.

He believes the death occurred on Saturday.

He voiced his sympathies to the family, and said: “It’s incredibly sad. We’re all shocked at what’s happened.

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“I remember his smile and his friendliness that he had for everyone. He was that sort of a fella – he was always pleasant. But he was always troubled.

“My memories of Brett will always be good. He’ll always be the young fella with the big smile... we all tried to reach out and help and it’s with great sadness we record his passing.

“We think of all the family, and all those who served in the forces as well and who have similar problems.”

Speaking to BBC Radio Ulster for a show entitled ‘Losing the Battle’ in 2016, Mr Savage said: “I was in Afghanistan in 2006. I was in a place called Musa Qala. I was 18 at the time. I had my 19th birthday out there...

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“Two of my mates died. I remember the first person I saw shot – he was caught by a sniper. We were coming back from somewhere, and we were supposed to be the last vehicle. The second last vehicle stopped to let us out. And then a sniper shot the guy who was on top... clean dead.

“He was just dead. Blood everywhere. That was the first person I ever saw get killed.

“Obviously in Musa Qala I saw people being shot, blown up, mortars. We got over-run and stuff. See our last week we were there? We got surrounded by 500 Taliban, all around.

“We couldn’t even get any supplies to us; the army said it was too much of a hot zone for to get anything at all.”

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He said at one point he was running low on bullets, and was getting ready to shoot as many attackers as he could – and save a bullet for himself, rather than be captured.

“It was like the hardest thing mentally,” he said.

HELP IS AVAILABLE FOR VETERANS AND CIVILIANS ALIKE:

If you are struggling to cope, there are services available.

l The Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123; it is free and the lines are open 24/7. You can also email them at this address: [email protected]

l Lifeline NI: 0808 808 8000

And these services are specially for military veterans:

l Beyond the Battlefield:

028 91 228 389

l Combat Stress:

0800 138 1619

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