‘Endless Torment’: Soldier’s Mum Speaks of Culture of Bullying at Veteran Suicide Inquiry

Nikki Jamieson, who lost her son to suicide, is seen speaking to the media during The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, in Brisbane, Australia, on Nov. 29, 2021. AAP Image/Albert Perez

When Nikki Jamieson saw her son, Daniel Garforth, go off to join the Australian Defence Forces in 2012, she did not expect it would set him on a course that would end with him dying by suicide.

However, in November 2014, the 21-year-old army private took his own life at Darwin’s Robertson Barracks. He left a suicide note which read: “The thing that’s finally pushed me over the edge is this job. Constantly being demoralised and ridiculed. I just couldn’t handle it anymore.”