EXCLUSIVE My message is listen, think, care and smile… look behind the mask’ Retired army commander issues warning to military officials at his son’s funeral after the Black Watch major, 36, killed himself over work stress
- Major Nick Coles, from the Black Watch regiment, took his own life on August 4
An army commander described as a ‘rising star’ killed himself after suffering from work pressures, his father claims.
Major Nick Coles, 36, of the historic Black Watch regiment, took his own life on August 4 – triggering further concerns about mental health issues in the Armed Forces.
At his funeral yesterday, the major’s father, retired Lieutenant Colonel Tim Coles, delivered a strongly worded warning to military officials to provide more support to servicemen.
Major Coles was found hanged in the garage at his quarters in Andover, Hampshire, by his wife Tabitha. They have a one-year-old daughter, Flora.
His death follows criticism of the Army earlier this year by a coroner for missing chances to prevent the suicide of Officer Cadet Olivia Perks in 2019.
Major Nick Coles (pictured), 36, of the historic Black Watch regiment, took his own life on August 4 – triggering further concerns about mental health issues in the Armed Forces
Major Coles was found hanged in the garage at his quarters in Andover, Hampshire, by his wife Tabitha. They have a one-year-old daughter, Flora
There was a ‘complete breakdown in welfare support’ for Ms Perks, the inquest heard, before she hanged herself at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in Berkshire.
Coroner Alison McCormick said there was a ‘missed opportunity by the chain of command’ to recognise the risk of the 21-year-old killing herself.
That same message echoed from the pulpit as Lt Col Coles reminded the Army’s most senior officers of the need to look out for their own.
There were about 600 mourners inside St George’s Church in Bulford, Wiltshire, to hear his address.
Lt Col Coles, regional director of the ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, said: ‘If there is a problem, we as leaders should identify that and help to point our colleagues and subordinates in the right direction.
‘Don’t hesitate. My message is listen, think, care and smile. But most importantly, look behind the mask.’
Maj Coles was today said to have put on a mask to cope with pressures in the work environment.
At his funeral, the major’s father, retired Lieutenant Colonel Tim Coles (pictured), delivered a strongly worded warning to military officials to provide more support to servicemen
The suicide rate in the Army has been rising since 2017, according to Ministry of Defence data in 2022. It is higher than the RAF’s and that of the Royal Navy.
Overall, more than 100 service personnel have taken their lives since 2013.
In December last year, a study found that young military veterans faced up to four times a higher risk of suicide than civilians.
A friend of Maj Coles said: ‘Nick was a very capable and popular officer – one of the best majors of generation who would have gone on to senior command positions. A rising star, so to speak.
‘Everyone is shocked and is thinking of his family. He had a demanding job but nobody had any idea he was struggling to that degree.
‘As his father said at the funeral, his passing is a reminder to us all to do more, to be more proactive so we understand the pressures people are under.’
The Black Watch, one of the British Army’s most decorated regiments, is part of the Royal Regiment of Scotland (3 Scots).
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