Soldier's death mysterious, say parents

Mr Little was serving with the Royal Logistics Corps

The parents of a soldier who died of a single gunshot wound whilst serving in Bosnia have called for an inquiry into their son's death.

Dale Little was serving with the Royal Logistic Corps in Tomislavgard, central Bosnia, when he was found dead in the early hours of 22 July, 1995.

Now Jim and Barbara Little, or Stanley, County Durham, have revealed fears that their son may have been killed.

Their concerns follow those of the families of other young soldiers who have died in similar circumstances.

Answers wanted

The Army originally said Dale Little's death was suicide but seven months later an inquest, held behind closed doors, returned an open verdict.

The 19-year-old had written to his girlfriend shortly before his death saying how much he looked forward to returning to see her and his young son Jordan.

Jim Little said: "Anybody who knew Dale would say he was not the sort of boy to commit suicide.

"The amount of gunshot wounds to the head of soldiers has just built up over the years.

"I am finding out more now, where I have decided myself to try and ask for answers.

Families' fears

"We need to have a public inquiry and have these cases looked at again."

Jim Little's feelings echo a number of families' fears over the deaths of their children while serving at the headquarters of the Royal Logistic Corps at the Deepcut barracks in Surrey.

Privates Geoff Gray, James Collinson, Sean Benton and Cheryl James all committed suicide in the past seven years, according to the Army.

The families have found those verdicts difficult to believe.