Young dad died after Navy left him 'completely different'

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A MUCH-loved football fan became a "completely different person" after leaving the Royal Navy, his mother has said.

22-year-old James Plumridge, who friends described as a "good and honest man" and a long-time fan of Hereford Football Club, died on September 19.

His mother, Sarah, said that the young dad of twin daughters, who latterly worked at Border Oak, had served two years in the Royal Navy.

This experience, she said, changed him as a person, with a conversation with his mother shortly before his death revealing why he had left the navy. She said: "It wasn't because he didn't like ship life or travelling the world, it was because of the behaviour of others. We all know the military culture of banter and humour but when it feels like it is always targeted at you, it is no longer banter and becomes something far more damaging.

"I can honestly say that James' time in the Navy changed him.

"He was a completely different person when he left to the person who joined, his love and zest for life had been taken, and sadly, I think this was the start of the end."

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In the wake of his death, his mother spent hours trawling through Facebook, reading tributes to her late son, including those who had encouraged other young men and women to open up about their mental health.

"James just wanted to be the best at everything and be the best for everyone but he felt that he was never good enough at anything or for anyone," she said.

"James didn't stop loving people, but he felt he could never get it quite right."

Over £11,000 has been raised to support the grieving family and twin daughters of the young Hereford football fan, who is believed to have taken his own life.

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Along with his love of the club, he'd previously played American football with Hereford Stampede and had recently discovered a passion for golf. Mrs Plumridge is encouraging others to think twice about their actions, and to "always choose kind".

"One person doing something different would not have changed the situation, but if every one of us had changed our behaviour in some way, Plum and I might still have James with us, Charlie might still have his twin brother and my beautiful grand babies, Daisy and Evie, might still have had their daddy to grow up with."

The Plumridge family has been left "blown away" by the response to GoFundMe (gofundme.com/f/james-plumridge), which will fund a memorial bench and to support his daughters.

The Ministry of Defence has been contacted for comment.