This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk-news/2013/jul/15/brecon-beacons-soldier-deaths-sas-test

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
MoD under pressure to explain deaths of army reservists in SAS test MoD under pressure to explain deaths of army reservists in SAS test
(2 months later)
The Ministry of Defence was coming under increasing pressure on Monday to explain how two army reservists died in searing temperatures during an SAS test as it emerged that both were experienced soldiers who had seen active service abroad in the harshest of conditions.The Ministry of Defence was coming under increasing pressure on Monday to explain how two army reservists died in searing temperatures during an SAS test as it emerged that both were experienced soldiers who had seen active service abroad in the harshest of conditions.
One of the men who died, apparently after suffering heat stroke on the Brecon Beacons in south Wales, was named as 24-year-old maths teacher Lance Corporal Craig Roberts, who is believed to have served in Afghanistan.One of the men who died, apparently after suffering heat stroke on the Brecon Beacons in south Wales, was named as 24-year-old maths teacher Lance Corporal Craig Roberts, who is believed to have served in Afghanistan.
The second man's family has asked that he not be named yet but it is understood he had served in the army for nearly a decade before joining the Territorial Army and had done tours of duty in Afghanistan.The second man's family has asked that he not be named yet but it is understood he had served in the army for nearly a decade before joining the Territorial Army and had done tours of duty in Afghanistan.
That both were experienced men who had served in hot climates rather than callow recruits makes it more of a puzzle that they and four others were so badly affected as the temperature soared to 30C (86F).That both were experienced men who had served in hot climates rather than callow recruits makes it more of a puzzle that they and four others were so badly affected as the temperature soared to 30C (86F).
It also focuses attention on the government's plans to make greater use of part-time reservist soldiers as the regular army shrinks because of budget cuts.It also focuses attention on the government's plans to make greater use of part-time reservist soldiers as the regular army shrinks because of budget cuts.
Dan Jarvis, the Labour MP and a former member of the Parachute Regiment who took part in training on the Beacons during his military career, called for the MoD to review its guidance on training in harsh conditions.Dan Jarvis, the Labour MP and a former member of the Parachute Regiment who took part in training on the Beacons during his military career, called for the MoD to review its guidance on training in harsh conditions.
He said: "I robustly defend the right of the army to conduct the most rigorous training. We have got to have people who are used to facing adversity. Having said that, something has gone wrong. We need to get to the bottom of it."He said: "I robustly defend the right of the army to conduct the most rigorous training. We have got to have people who are used to facing adversity. Having said that, something has gone wrong. We need to get to the bottom of it."
Jarvis said the shift towards more reliance on reservists was not without risks. "Why is this being done? It is about money, and it is about doing defence on the cheap rather than delivering improved capability."Jarvis said the shift towards more reliance on reservists was not without risks. "Why is this being done? It is about money, and it is about doing defence on the cheap rather than delivering improved capability."
Friends of Lance Corporal Roberts, who was known as CJ, said he was "extremely dedicated" to serving his country. One, who asked not to be named, said: "CJ loved being in the TA and really wanted to go as far as he could.Friends of Lance Corporal Roberts, who was known as CJ, said he was "extremely dedicated" to serving his country. One, who asked not to be named, said: "CJ loved being in the TA and really wanted to go as far as he could.
"He was the salt of the earth and would have a go at anything. It is devastating to think he died like that.""He was the salt of the earth and would have a go at anything. It is devastating to think he died like that."
Originally from north Wales, Roberts studied banking and finance at Leicester University before becoming a maths teacher at Trinity comprehensive school in Lewisham, south-east London.Originally from north Wales, Roberts studied banking and finance at Leicester University before becoming a maths teacher at Trinity comprehensive school in Lewisham, south-east London.
One 16-year-old student said: "It brought tears to my eyes when I heard he died. Mr Roberts was one of the best teachers ever."One 16-year-old student said: "It brought tears to my eyes when I heard he died. Mr Roberts was one of the best teachers ever."
Roberts's family was being comforted by friends and military staff in north Wales. His father, Kelvin, said: "We are being given the support of the military and anything we want to say will come through them."Roberts's family was being comforted by friends and military staff in north Wales. His father, Kelvin, said: "We are being given the support of the military and anything we want to say will come through them."
His son was a member of the 3rd Battalion Royal Anglian Regiment and is believed to have served as a reservist in Afghanistan. He had undertaken hot weather training in Texas. Like many reservist soldiers he wanted to see if he was strong and talented enough to become an SAS reservist. On one social network profile he said the only thing he was scared of was "fear".His son was a member of the 3rd Battalion Royal Anglian Regiment and is believed to have served as a reservist in Afghanistan. He had undertaken hot weather training in Texas. Like many reservist soldiers he wanted to see if he was strong and talented enough to become an SAS reservist. On one social network profile he said the only thing he was scared of was "fear".
Dyfed-Powys police and the MoD are both carrying out investigations into the tragedy and government ministers have refused to comment ahead of the results.Dyfed-Powys police and the MoD are both carrying out investigations into the tragedy and government ministers have refused to comment ahead of the results.
It is believed the men were both taking part in the "aptitude training" element of the course to become an SAS reservist. They had been tutored in how to survive in hostile territory and were embarking on the testing stage of the process. Only around one in 10 are thought to pass.It is believed the men were both taking part in the "aptitude training" element of the course to become an SAS reservist. They had been tutored in how to survive in hostile territory and were embarking on the testing stage of the process. Only around one in 10 are thought to pass.
The tragedy happened close to Pen y Fan, the highest mountain in southern Britain and venue for the notorious "Fan Dance", which involves would-be SAS members marching up the mountain, down the other side and back again carrying a weighted pack and rifle – then doing the route in reverse in a set time.The tragedy happened close to Pen y Fan, the highest mountain in southern Britain and venue for the notorious "Fan Dance", which involves would-be SAS members marching up the mountain, down the other side and back again carrying a weighted pack and rifle – then doing the route in reverse in a set time.
A third man was also seriously affected by the heat and remains in a "serious condition" in hospital.A third man was also seriously affected by the heat and remains in a "serious condition" in hospital.
The incident may have wider ramifications for the government's plans to beef up the TA's role. It is due to be renamed the Army Reserves and its numbers increased by 50% to 30,000. The plan is that the reserves will be more integrated and play a bigger part in military operations as the regular army faces heavy cuts.The incident may have wider ramifications for the government's plans to beef up the TA's role. It is due to be renamed the Army Reserves and its numbers increased by 50% to 30,000. The plan is that the reserves will be more integrated and play a bigger part in military operations as the regular army faces heavy cuts.
SAS reservists have traditionally been used as a long-range reconnaissance force but in recent years have served alongside SAS regulars in both Iraq and Afghanistan.SAS reservists have traditionally been used as a long-range reconnaissance force but in recent years have served alongside SAS regulars in both Iraq and Afghanistan.
Though demanding, many aspire to join the SAS reservists. It is better paid than the regular TA, has more kudos because of the SAS's famous reputation, and can be a way in to regular special forces units.Though demanding, many aspire to join the SAS reservists. It is better paid than the regular TA, has more kudos because of the SAS's famous reputation, and can be a way in to regular special forces units.
Simon Thomas, the Plaid Cymru assembly member for Mid and West Wales, which includes the Brecon Beacons, said: "The UK government plans to rely more heavily upon members of the Territorial Army in future and so they must receive the best training and the same duty of care. Lessons must be learnt as more information from this comes to light."Simon Thomas, the Plaid Cymru assembly member for Mid and West Wales, which includes the Brecon Beacons, said: "The UK government plans to rely more heavily upon members of the Territorial Army in future and so they must receive the best training and the same duty of care. Lessons must be learnt as more information from this comes to light."
Philippa Tuckman, a specialist lawyer in military negligence at Bolt Burdon Kemp, suggested that if the MoD had been following its own guidelines regarding operating in the heat, possible failings which may have led the deaths could have been avoided.Philippa Tuckman, a specialist lawyer in military negligence at Bolt Burdon Kemp, suggested that if the MoD had been following its own guidelines regarding operating in the heat, possible failings which may have led the deaths could have been avoided.
She said: "The MoD has a lot of guidance around climatic injuries and itself states that the majority of deaths caused by the climate could be avoided," she said. "The fact we have six people involved here, with two deaths and a serious injury, does seem to indicate that someone was not following these guidelines."She said: "The MoD has a lot of guidance around climatic injuries and itself states that the majority of deaths caused by the climate could be avoided," she said. "The fact we have six people involved here, with two deaths and a serious injury, does seem to indicate that someone was not following these guidelines."
The town of Brecon, which is proud of its military links, was in mourning. The men who died will be the focus of an armed forces service taking place at St Mary's Priory in nearby Abergavenny on Sunday.The town of Brecon, which is proud of its military links, was in mourning. The men who died will be the focus of an armed forces service taking place at St Mary's Priory in nearby Abergavenny on Sunday.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. Enter your email address to subscribe.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox every weekday.