A former soldier has spoken out about the sexist environment faced by women in the British Army, describing how female personnel endure persistent harassment, crude remarks, and damaging gossip.
The comments emerged during an inquest into the death of 19-year-old Royal Artillery Gunner Jaysley Beck, who was found dead in her barracks at Larkhill Camp, Wiltshire, on 15 December 2021, following a social gathering on base.
Tamzin Hort, a former soldier who has since left the Army, testified that women frequently receive unwelcome attention from male colleagues and are ridiculed with derogatory labels if they reject romantic advances.
Persistent Harassment and Toxic Culture
During the hearing, it was revealed that Gunner Beck had suffered continuous harassment from her superior officers. On one occasion, a sergeant reportedly pinned her down and attempted to kiss her.
Ms. Hort recounted similar experiences, explaining that as the only woman in her battery, she often felt targeted.
“I was in a long-term relationship, yet I constantly received unwanted attention—especially when the men had been drinking,” she said. “I couldn’t leave my quarters without hearing degrading comments.”
She further described the relentless bullying women faced, sharing how her own training instructor frequently ridiculed her weight.
“He’d say things like, ‘Look at you, you’re fat. Are you pregnant?’ It was humiliating,” she recalled. “When you hear it enough times, it starts to affect your self-worth.”
Fear and Isolation
Ms. Hort explained that over time, she felt the need to lock her bedroom door at night due to male soldiers knocking and attempting to enter. She described one frightening incident as a 17-year-old when she returned from a pub outing to find a sergeant standing outside her door holding a condom.
“You can imagine how terrifying that was,” she said. “And this isn’t just isolated to one regiment—it happens across the Army.”
Despite experiencing such incidents, Ms. Hort said she refrained from reporting them due to fears of repercussions.
“I once sought therapy through the Army’s welfare services, and somehow, word spread to everyone. It made things worse.”
Reluctance to Report Misconduct
While Gunner Beck never directly spoke to Ms. Hort about her own experiences of harassment, Ms. Hort recalled overhearing inappropriate remarks made about her.
“She was stunning, and unfortunately, that meant she became a target for disgusting comments,” she said. “Men would openly say vile things about her. If you react, it only fuels them more.”
The inquest at Salisbury Coroner’s Court revealed that in the months leading up to her death, Gunner Beck struggled to set boundaries with a superior officer, Bombardier Ryan Mason, who bombarded her with over 4,600 messages expressing his infatuation.
He reportedly presented her with a 15-page letter detailing his fantasies about her. In a WhatsApp message, Beck confided that his behavior made her feel “genuinely trapped” and took a serious toll on her mental health.
“I’m trying to be there for you as a friend, but this crossed the line long ago. I feel incredibly uncomfortable,” she wrote.
Army’s Response and Additional Factors
Lance Bombardier Jones, a close friend of Beck, testified that she refrained from filing complaints out of fear that she would be labelled a troublemaker.
“She didn’t want to be seen as someone who constantly accused people,” he explained, referencing a previous complaint she had filed against another officer.
A message she sent to a friend reflected her frustration:
“I know I’ve done nothing wrong, but it makes me look bad. I hate this situation. Being the only woman here, people will start saying I’m just causing problems. If I were a man, it would be so different.”
An Army inquiry report published in October 2023 identified multiple factors that may have influenced her decision not to report further incidents. It also cited additional stressors, including:
- A romantic relationship with a married colleague in the final weeks of her life.
- A breakup in November 2021, marked by accusations of infidelity.
- A pattern of binge drinking.
The coroner said that the Army mishandled reports of harassment and failed to take action against the senior officer at whose hands she had suffered a sexual assault.
Military Claim Solicitors
At Ison Harrison, we believe that more must be done to advocate safe places for women to report unwanted conduct. Fear of reporting, isolation, humiliating and distressing treatment afterwards may result in career losses and, in the most extreme cases, has very sadly ended the life of this young soldier.
Our expert, Diane Askwith, can help you if you have suffered a military injury or discrimination. Please get in touch on 0113 284 5000 or email pi@isonharrison.co.uk
