![\"Jack](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2_Jack-Burnell-Williamsjpeg.jpg\")
<\/p>\nArmy apologises after Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment trooper Jack Burnell-Williams, 18, was tragically discovered dead at Hyde Park Barracks in London<\/p>\n
11:13, 13 Feb 2026Updated 13:57, 13 Feb 2026<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Jack Burnell-Williams<\/p>\n
A teenage soldier from Wales was found dead in his barracks after being under stress for an “impossible working environment”, his family say.<\/p>\n
Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment trooper Jack Burnell-Williams, 18, was found hanged at Hyde Park Barracks in London on September 28, 2022. The tragedy happened just days after escorting Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin.<\/p>\n
An inquest at Inner West London Coroners’ Court concluded on Thursday that Mr Burnell-Williams, originally from Bridgend, did not have a settled intention to kill himself and was “plainly under stress” at work, reports PA.<\/p>\n
Assistant coroner Bernard Richmond KC, said the teenager was “plainly under stress” because of the “frankly ridiculous hours that members of his troop were expected to work”.<\/p>\n
Ensure our latest news and sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate<\/strong><\/a> or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings<\/p>\n He added: “Whatever he did was done, in my judgment, in a moment of anguish. I reject the proposition that he formed a settled intention to kill himself – it was at worst a cry for help and more likely, in my view, an expression of frustration and despair.”<\/p>\n His mother Laura Williams, reading a statement on behalf of her family, said: “It is clear to us that Jack tried his best to cope within an impossible working environment.<\/p>\n Jack Burnell-Williams who sadly died<\/p>\n “After just turning 18 he joined the Household Cavalry where he selflessly conducted more duties than any other trooper without complaint and to serve his country.<\/p>\n “His dedication meant he was working gruelling working hours which meant he was exhausted and would not come home to see his friends and family.<\/p>\n “Jack had all the characteristics the Army looks for in their soldiers and we know that he would have had a brilliant career and life.<\/p>\n “The Army must reflect and learn from Jack’s death to make life better for those serving at the Household Cavalry.”<\/p>\n She said that the hours he worked and the stress of the unit took its toll on her son.<\/p>\n Life Guards, and Blues and Royals (top R) units of the Household Cavalry (top) and Household Division Foot Guards prepare at Buckingham Palace ahead of the ceremonial procession of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n She said: “The light inside him slowly dimmed and his cheeky smile faded. We barely spoke because he was constantly exhausted and had no time.<\/p>\n “When the police knocked my door, my immediate thought was that Jack had been injured and was in hospital.<\/p>\n “When they told me what had happened, I couldn’t believe it and I was in shock. I still don’t feel like I have accepted Jack has gone.”<\/p>\n Her statement continued: “Jack achieved more in his short lifetime than many do in a full one.<\/p>\n “One of our proudest moments was seeing him take part in ceremonial duties at the late Queen’s funeral. We were all incredibly proud that he was part of such an important moment in history.”<\/p>\n Mr Burnell-Williams’ father Daniel Burnell said in a statement that the family were “so proud” his son was involved with the state funeral, adding: “We watched him on TV with tears of joy running down my face.”<\/p>\n He added: “I will never forget the day Laura rang me and said: ‘You need to get here now. It’s Jack, the police are here, it’s bad’.<\/p>\n “When she told me my whole world fell apart, my heart ripped from my chest. That is not a feeling any parent should ever go through.<\/p>\n “There is so much more to Jack’s life it would take forever to write it all down. He brought so much joy to everyone he met.<\/p>\n “Now all we have are cherished memories and a huge hole where Jack should be.<\/p>\n “He is missed so much every day. Life can never be the same without him and his heart and smile.”<\/p>\n Assistant coroner Bernard Richmond KC ruled Mr Burnell-Williams’ death was a result of misadventure and “completely, it seems, out of all character”.<\/p>\n Mr Burnell-Williams died nine days after taking part in the late Queen’s state funeral procession, the inquest heard.<\/p>\n The hearing was told he had joined a “particularly stressful branch of the Army” and “everyone must have been exhausted” while preparing for their ceremonial duties.<\/p>\n Mr Richmond said there was a culture in the regiment of people having to “pull their weight” and Mr Burnell-Williams was undertaking more duties.<\/p>\n![\"Jack](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/0_Image.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Soldiers](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/0_The-Coffin-Carrying-Queen-Elizabeth-II-Is-Transferred-From-Buckingham-Palace-To-The-Palace-Of-West.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n