Coroner outlines changes after the death of marine just weeks into training
Senior Coroner Philip Spinney opened his judgement by stressing how the 18 year old was 'much loved and will be greatly missed'
Last updated 3rd Jul 2024
A coroner says he's satisfied with the changes that have been made since the death of a marine - from Norfolk - who died at the Lympstone Royal Naval training base in Devon.
Connor Clark, 18, who'd dreamed of joining the Navy since he was 12, took his life just weeks into initial training .
The coroner today concluded that staff did not single him out unfairly - despite giving him repeated punishments for failing tasks - after considering whether he needed to issue a preventing future deaths report.
The inquest heard the recuit had lost a key piece of equipment ahead of an inspection, which was a likely 'significant factor' in the tragic events that unfolded, before recording a verdict of 'suicide'.
Connor Clark was just weeks into his military career when his body was discovered on the tracks adjacent to the Commando Training Centre in Lympstone, Devon, on the morning of June 12, 2021.
Royal Marine found dead 'believed he was the worst recruit'
The 18-year-old, from Norfolk, had completed the third of his four-week 'recruit orientation phase' course that all Marines undertake before they begin their initial training when he died.
During the inquest, the coroner heard from other recruits who described being shouted at and sworn at - as staff tried to 'target weaknesses'.
Lieutenant Colonel Innes Catton, the current commander of the military training site, said: "There's no requirement for that, it is not expected and we don't want that."
He reminded the coroner that the course was designed to be physically and psychologically challenging and some of the youngsters they see on training could be in active situations within three months.
The inquest was told that training elements - ie shouting - was 'down to judgement' in specific circumstances but the ultimate aim was to help trainees 'realise their potential'. Lieutenant Colonel Catton outlined updates in training for instructors in recent years and work to ensure warning signs of recruits struggling were recognised.
When pressed again on the use of shouting and swearing by the coroner, Lieutenant Colonel Catton said that 'falls outside of those behaviours we're trying to inspire'.
The inquest judgement today reflected on deficiencies in the camp's CCTV system and the 'camera not functioning as it should', with the coroner also reflecting how they were pointed to spot people entering from outside rather than monitoring inside.
There was also criticism of the immediate aftermath by the military base - dubbed 'inadequate' by the coroner - as he outlined initial opportunities to search for the missing recruit.
The coroner reflected on evidence about Connor's performance during the initial training, and how he was described as 'quiet and unassuming' and did not approach instructors for assistance - and turned down help from other recruits when offered.
The coroner today ruled blame could not be attributed to the reported 'hostile culture' among some recruits and that - while he was punished more than others by trainers - Connor was not singled out or treated differently and was given extra tuition.
The judgement found that Connor's own assessment of his performance - such as feeling he was the 'worst recruit' - was a contributing factor.
There was a summary of the likely impact upon Connor of him losing a piece of equipment - with other recruits offering to help him find it - as it was expected there would be an investigation and group punishment. His room was later found to be a 'mess' which the coroner suggested demonstrated he had been looking for the 'blank firing attachment'.
The coroner called it a likely 'significant factor' in his decision before recording a verdict of 'suicide'.
More details about the inquest can be found here