A Royal Marine drill instructor told a new recruit who was later found dead on a railway line he had been given “so many chances”. 

Connor Clark was just weeks into his military career when his body was discovered on the tracks opposite the Commando Training Centre in Lympstone, Devon, on June 12, 2021, an inquest heard.

The 18-year-old, from Norwich, had completed the third of his four-week recruit orientation phase (ROP) course that all Marines undertake.

The inquest in Exeter has heard Mr Clark had failed some kit inspections but had been re-inspected by an officer and passed. 

But he was then pulled up by an instructor for a mistake during drill training.

Mr Clark had also made comments about being a “failure” and the “worst recruit”.

Marine Charles Dryden, who had undertaken the ROP course with Mr Clark, told the inquest his friend had been criticised by a corporal.

“Connor made a mistake and the instructor said if he had his way, he wouldn’t have given him so many chances with the previous inspections."

The witness said some of the instructors could shout and swear at recruits if they made mistakes.

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The inquest heard that two days before Mr Clark died, he had gone to the sick bay seeking treatment for an injury.

He told medical staff he had cut his elbow when he fell against a radiator but had used a knife to reopen the wound to avoid duties.

He returned to training where one of the instructors questioned why he had been in the sick bay – causing the lesson to be taught again.

The inquest heard how other recruits were helping Mr Clark find the blank firing adapter for his rifle that he had misplaced to avoid a troop physical punishment – known as a “thrashing”.

The witness said he was shocked at his friend’s death, having only spoken to him the evening before about continuing the training course.

He said when Connor was missing he thought it was a "cry for help”. 

The inquest continues.