Ex-Soldier Describes Army's ‘Misogynistic Culture’ Amid Inquest into Death of Female Soldier.
An inquest into the tragic death of Royal Artillery Gunner Jaysley Beck has uncovered disturbing accounts of a toxic and "misogynistic" culture within the Army, particularly for women who face relentless harassment. Beck, 19, was found dead in her barracks at Larkhill Camp, Wiltshire, on 15 December 2021, following a block party on-site.
Tamzin Hort, a former Army soldier and close friend of Beck, testified at the inquest, recalling her own experiences with the widespread "humiliating" comments and “vicious gossip” that women face in the Army. Hort shared that female soldiers often endure unwanted attention from their male counterparts, with men resorting to sexist slurs when their advances are rejected. "I was with my partner for three years but as the only girl in my battery, I got a lot of unwanted attention from a lot of the lads - especially if they'd had a drink," Hort explained.
She also recounted how she was subjected to degrading comments about her appearance, including being called “fat” by her training instructor, which led to a significant decline in her self-esteem. She said, "If you're told enough times, that affects you. It makes you feel very low."
Gunner Beck had also faced a similar pattern of harassment. Despite her efforts to set boundaries, she was persistently targeted by her male colleagues, including Bombardier Ryan Mason, who bombarded her with over 4,600 messages and showed her an inappropriate 15-page "love story" he had written about her. Beck had expressed feeling "genuinely trapped" and uncomfortable with Mason’s advances.
Beck’s ex-boyfriend, George Higgins, described the impact Mason’s obsession had on Beck’s mental health. In a message, Beck confided, "I'm trying to be there for you as a friend but it completely crossed the line of that a long time ago."
Despite the distress caused by these interactions, Beck did not report the harassment out of fear it would harm her reputation. She had previously made a complaint against Battery Sergeant Major Michael Webber after an attempted sexual advance at a work social, but was concerned that others would label her a “serial accuser.”
A 2023 Army service inquiry report pointed to several factors that may have contributed to Beck’s untimely death, including strain from a sexual relationship with a married colleague, repeated allegations of infidelity from her ex-boyfriend, and her unhealthy relationship with alcohol.
The inquest, which began on February 10, 2025, continues to explore the toxic culture within the Army and its impact on female soldiers.
