Shockingly

cold and uncaring incompetence on the part of the MOD, the police, the government, coroners et al. A disturbing but probably necessary listen for anyone interested in the workings of this country's organisation's that are meant to serve and protect.

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The story of a national disgrace

An all too familiar tale of British cover-up and denial in the service of maintaining corrupt power structures. And the innocent victims and their poor families be damned.
A painful listen but worthy nonetheless

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An eye opening

So compelling, factually intriguing, sad, amazing how the institute army police closed information, so many people will be left let down

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Nothing new here.Young squaddies always got abused

Any ex British Army recruit from this era, myself included, knows that the things that seem to be shocking to the narrator / investigator were standard issue for new recruits. The British Army was and likely still is full of racism, abuse, bullies and predators. If you're half decent and have other options you leave. Many bullies only climb the ranks because the decent soldiers leave due the sheer banality of what being a squaddie is all about. I've painted grass green. I've been spat on by a screaming sergeant more times than I can remember. Hundreds of attempts at being bullied, countless fights, I've been punched in the face within 5 minutes of arriving in a new camp by a full screw who told me he owned me now... The only way out is to fight and be the grey man. If someone doesn't know if you've got what it takes to stab them in their sleep they leave you alone - any weakness and you're done for. Ive seen new recruits forced to drink bleach and urine, I've seen a black recruit chased around a square by guys in white sheets - He was the only black guy there and the corporals nicknamed him midnight. We had a group of squaddies on our camp who sexually assaulted a local German girl who was so drunk she was unconscious and they took pictures which they put up in their room.... they got a wrap on the knuckles from senior staff and the local girl was devastated, likely for life. There were deaths on many camps all over the world. I was in Germany and the UK in the Royal Signals from 97 to 2002. - at least one hanging whilst I was in Germany. Fights in the bars every weekend between each other, stabbings, glassings, and general assaults. There are good opportunities but you better be ready to fight for your own life before you ever dream of fighting for the benefit of someone else's.

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I heard the gun shot when Cheryl lost her life

I was prompted to listen to the series because at the time of the first two deaths I was SNCO Instructor in Keogh Barracks, Ashvale and my MQ was in Derpcut (Alma Gardens). From the kitchen window I could see the trainees undertake thier BFT's and heard the NCO's abuse them, thinking at the time that had we spoke to our phase two recruits like that, particularly the females, that our days in Keogh would be numbered. Sadly I recall the day that Cheryl died, I heard the gun shot ring out as I ran pass the RLC Museum on my way into camp thinking at the time, ouch someone on guard has had a ND, that will be expensive. I was appalled and saddened when I heard that Cheryl had lost her life. I have heard the stories of the alleged Deepcut Shooter and never had never given that conspiracy theory much credence mainly because of the alleged toxic culture openly spoken about on the quarters patch by those not in the RLC and posted to Deepcut.

So it was with some trepidation and a hope that when listening to this podcast I would finally hear the truth regarding the circumstances that Sean and Cheryl lost thier lives and that those in the chain of command with the responsibility to ensure these young soldiers we not abused and exploited as heresy says they were. Those Officers, SNCO's and JNCO's being called to account for their actions and in some cases lack of section. With direct evidence laying the blame at individual's doors being released.

Sadly while the pod cast is well produced it doesn't provide this evidence. It does in sensational terms expose a fifth tragic death clearly swept under the table to avoid more bad publicity for the Army but when hard evidence is lacking. It dribbles on about nothing new in that this place was a very dangerous and sad place to be if you were unfortunate enough to be sent there for phase two training.

I don't and will not had to hersay, but I know there are people out there, literally with blood on thier hands. In that they were the bullies and exploiters or turned a blind eye to those who were. Worse still, those who were in command and failed to act, not wanting to be tarnished, or feared the consequences if they took action on thier own future careers.Lack the backbone, integrity and moral compass to protect the vulnerable trainees.

I feel deeply for all of the families concerned and support thier claim that only a full public enquiry with the widest possible range of investigative power will ever truly explained what went on, and why these young people lost or tool thier own lives.

I fear how many more victims there are still out there, desperately still trying to come to terms with what happened and cannot find the answer to 'why me?'

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Death at Deepcut - unbelievable but I believe it’s true

Totally shocked at this podcast but totally believe it. I was at Blackdown Barracks in Deepcut in 1972 and 1973 and some of these practices were going on then. It those days it was the Black Hand Gang causing trouble, bullying etc. In those days they were privates but by the 90’s, were they now NCO’s still carrying out their practices? There were other things which matched, I did speak to Surrey Police during their inquiry, gave some details but they never came back to me.

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Beggars belief

It’s incredible to think that not only abuse exists and serious crimes are committed in the Army but that there is such cover up afterwards. I also can’t understand why serious crime is not handled in the same way as outside the Army. The Military Police are clearly not trained for forensic crime scene investigation nor should the Army investigate itself. There are no independent checks and balances in place. As such, thugs, sexual abusers and murderers have all walked free.

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fascinating, riveting, sad

I had heard of deep cut though knew nothing of the detail. the story was enthralling, interesting, very concerning, and essentially fascinating, though not at all in a good way. a highly interesting listen.

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Sad events - good journalism

Great podcast surrounding the terrible events that took place at a notorious UK army base. I thought it was done in good taste and paid respect to the victims and families. Interesting and good pragmatic investigative journalism.

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Great podcast

The podcast was great, narration was spot on. Being ex forces myself a feel i got a real understanding of it all. Thank you for the time and effort you have all put into it.

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3 people found this helpful