A FORMER soldier tragically died by suicide after injury ended his military career and he “struggled to adapt to civilian life”.

An inquest at Bradford Coroner’s Court heard 27-year-old Danny Scarborough dreamed of joining the military as a boy, realising his dream straight out of school.

He went straight from school to the Army Foundation College in Harrogate before joining the Yorkshire Regiment, based in Catterick.

He had been due to go on overseas operation when he suffered an injury which, despite treatment, left him unfit to serve in the armed forces.

His overseas posting was cancelled and he was eventually medically discharged from the Army aged 21.

After that he began work in the construction industry, but a statement from his mother Faye Earnshaw said his “heart wasn’t in it” and he longed to be in the military with his friends, some of whom were sadly killed in action.

Born and raised in Halifax, Danny was living in Dudley Hill Road, Undercliffe, at the time of his death.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Danny dreamed of serving his country but his dream job was crucially taken away from him by injuryDanny dreamed of serving his country but his dream job was crucially taken away from him by injury

In her statement, Mrs Earnshaw said: “Danny was desperate to leave school and join the Army, he wanted to serve his country.

“Unfortunately he suffered an injury which rendered him unfit for duty which devastated him, he was desperate to serve.

“He struggled to get back into civilian life, he got work in construction and he was a good worker but his heart wasn’t in it.”

Mrs Earnshaw said Danny would “light up the room” and had a “charisma” which made him popular and able to lift people’s spirits around him, but he would often bottle up his own issues.

“He was a vivacious, fun loving and sociable person who was great fun to be around, and he will be missed immensely,” she added.

“But while he looked normal and happy but under the surface it was different, he soaked up his problems rather than reaching out.

“The loss of his career left him without direction in life, and the loss of his friends’ lives hit him hard.”

On Sunday, November 7, 2021, Danny’s ex-girlfriend was unable to reach him by text or phone, having spoken to him two days earlier, so went to his home but there was no answer.

Concerned for his welfare, she called emergency services who gained entry to the house and found Danny sadly deceased.

Assistant Coroner Mary Burke reached a conclusion in his inquest of death as a result of suicide.

Anyone struggling with their mental health can contact Samaritans free of charge, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, by calling 116 123 or by emailing jo@samaritans.org.