Play about Deepcut recruits is a tribute, says father

Published on Thursday 24 July 2008 21:56

THE father of an army recruit who died at the controversial Deepcut barracks yesterday praised a new play about her death as a tribute to her life.

Private Cheryl James, 18, from Llangollen, north Wales, was found with gunshot wounds at the barracks in November 1995.

She is one of four soldiers whose deaths are explored in Deep Cut, staged for the first time last night before opening at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe next week.

Allegations of bullying and abuse at Deepcut were levelled after the deaths, and Pte James's family is still campaigning for a full public inquiry, alongside relatives of the other three young soldiers who died.

After seeing a dress rehearsal at the Sherman Theatre, Cardiff, Des James said: "We were just totally bowled over. I really believe this is going to have one hell of an impact. I think they've done a great job and, if nothing else, it's a really good tribute to the four who died."

Private Sean Benton, 20, from Hastings, was found dead with gunshot wounds at the barracks in June 1995, months before Pte James's death.

In September 2001, Private Geoff Gray, 17, from Seaham, Co Durham, was found with two gunshot wounds to his head.

Six months later, Private James Collinson, from Perth, also 17, was found with a single gunshot wound upwards through his chin.

A Surrey Police investigation was launched into the deaths in 2002 following pressure from the families, who rejected suggestions their children had committed suicide.

A judge's investigation called for an independent ombudsman for the armed forces, but rejected the families' calls for a public inquiry. It also concluded that Gray, James and Benton had committed suicide.

&#149 Deep Cut is being performed at the Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, from 31 July until 24 August.