The parents of the soldier whose tragic suicide led to The Mail on Sunday’s successful campaign for a 24/7 helpline for traumatised troops have shared the heartfelt letter of condolence they received from Prince Harry.
In the touching message, Harry credits Warrant Officer Nathan Hunt, 39, with keeping him alive when they served together in Afghanistan as part of a desert reconnaissance unit.
WO Hunt was responsible for identifying Taliban mines as the unit tracked the enemy across Helmand province. But the role took its toll on his mental health and the father-of-one was later diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
The soldier, of the Royal Engineers, hanged himself on New Year’s Day. He was survived by his widow Lainey, 41, and their daughter Megan, nine. Just days after the tragedy, Harry’s letter arrived by special delivery at his parents’ home in Lincoln.
In the touching message, Harry (back) credits Warrant Officer Nathan Hunt (front), 39, with keeping him alive when they served together in Afghanistan
Last night, WO Hunt’s mother Maria, 64, said: ‘The letter was a lovely gesture by Harry and he said some lovely things about Nathan. I felt honoured to receive it and it meant a great deal to us.’
Derek Hunt, WO Hunt’s father, said last night that he wanted to release the private letter to prove the Prince ‘was a caring commander’. He said: ‘The letter helps and it shows that Harry was part and parcel of the soldiering and wasn’t just there for publicity purposes. He carried a big role in Helmand and my son and some of the troops that I spoke to at the funeral had nothing but a high regard for him. Prince Harry has got a good feeling for mental health and, having served, he understands what people are going through.’
In the letter Harry says: ‘Nathan and I served together in Afghanistan when he was attached to the Household Cavalry Regiment in 2007/08. I remember our time serving together on that tour with fond memories. Not only was Nathan a highly professional soldier, respected by all those who worked with him, but he also had a keen sense of humour.
The parents of the soldier whose tragic suicide led to The Mail on Sunday’s successful campaign for a 24/7 helpline for traumatised troops have shared the heartfelt letter
‘It is so cruel to have a family member taken from you at such an early age. Please know that you both and Megan are in my thoughts and that my deepest sympathies are with you all at this most difficult of times. With warmest wishes, Harry.’
Mrs Hunt added that her son had the greatest respect for the Prince. She said: ‘He might have been Royalty but he was never mollycoddled. Nathan thought Harry was good at his job too.’
Harry spent ten weeks with the desert reconnaissance until his presence in Afghanistan was revealed by an Australian magazine. He later returned to the war zone in 2012 as a helicopter pilot – the only job which top brass were willing for him to do.
…as Heroes’ Helpline he inspired gets 70 calls a day
The helpline set up following our hard-hitting campaign received more calls in one day than officials said it would get in a year.
The Military Mental Health Helpline, inspired by the tragic death of Warrant Officer Nathan Hunt, was launched last Sunday. Since then it has received up to 70 calls a day from serving personnel and their families. In total nearly 300 calls were made over the course of the week.
Last year defence officials turned down former head of the British Army Lord Dannatt’s bid to set up the helpline because they said it would only get 50 calls a year.
Our campaign was backed by General Sir Mike Jackson, Field Marshal Lord Guthrie and former Gulf War ‘Top Gun’ John Nichol. Last night Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said: ‘The new helpline has already been called around 300 times, showing how important it is.
‘I am determined to work with all the services to ensure every one of our brave men and women knows that we are here for them when they need us the most.’