A soldier died suddenly just weeks after his Army girlfriend was found hanged in a military barracks.
Veterans' campaigners said urgent questions must be asked about what support heartbroken Bombardier Ross Burnside had received. It is suspected his partner, Gunner Sophie Madden, from Wigan, committed suicide- The Mirror reports
A military source said: “Ross was clearly in a very vulnerable position.”
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Campaign group Veterans Against Suicide called the deaths “preventable tragedies". A relative of Sophie posted tributes to the couple, writing: “Rest easy Ross you will forever be missed by everyone.
“I know you and Soph will be looking after each other.”
Sophie, 23, was on an army training course when she died on June 10 in Folkestone, Kent. Ross, in his 20s - who was originally from Sheffield - was found dead at his home in Rotherham on July 19.
The couple met when they served together in third Regiment Royal Horse Artillery.
Ross, who was with the first Regiment Royal Horse Artillery, also served with the elite seven Para Royal Horse Artillery, the only airborne artillery unit. The first regiment said he “will leave a legacy among those he inspired”.
Sophie’s relative Natasha Madden, of Skelmersdale, added in her online tribute to Ross: “Was such a pleasure having you a part of our family you can now rest at peace.”
Another relative Chantelle Madden, from Liverpool, added: “Rest easy I miss you. Hope you [and] Sophie looking after yourself up there.”
An inquest into Sophie’s death has been opened and adjourned. Police said her death is not being treated as suspicious.
Inquiries continue into Ross’s death. An army spokesman said: “It is with sadness that we can confirm the death of Bombardier Ross Burnside.
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