Coroner makes government recommendations after Bonsall inquest

Pte Bonsall (24) was found hanged by his wife in the home they shared together in March 2012.

His family believed he had been suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, brought on by the death of a close friend while serving in northern Helmand province.

The Pembrokeshire coroner returned a narrative verdict as he was unsure Lee’s death could be recorded as a suicide.

He now plans to write to the Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans asking for the procedure for referring psychiatric cases to be reviewed.

The coroner will also petition the Minister for Health over the practice of allowing repeat prescriptions for antidepressant drug citalopram, which Pte Bonsall was taking.

He will also draw the minister’s attention to waiting times for psychotherapy.