British soldier, 40, who won Ukraine bravery medal took his own life

For confidential support, call Samaritans on 116 123, visit samaritans.org or visit https://www.thecalmzone.net/get-support By ED HOLT Published: 13:18 BST, 3 October 2025 | Updated: 13:19 BST, 3 October 2025

A British soldier who won a Ukrainian medal for bravery took his own life aged 40.Captain Edward, 'Ned', Harris was a former Coldstream Guards officer who took up arms to fight against Putin's force as part of the Ukrainian International Legion.It was while he was fighting in the city of Bakhmut - in the Donetsk region - that Captain Harris's leg was severely injured. The accident occurred in November 2022 while Captain Harris and his team were carrying out a rescue operation to save a group of soldiers pinned down in an apartment block. The team were then ambushed by Russian drones. In the ensuing battle two of Captain Harris' men were killed and two others were badly injured. Meanwhile Captain Harris was was hit by several bullets in the upper body and his left leg was almost severed by shrapnel from an artillery round.He was then taken to a military hospital in Dnipro where he continued to work relentlessly manning two telephones and making sure that the wounded men were being looked after.And despite needing critical care he refused to leave without his men. Captain Edward, 'Ned', Harris was a former Coldstream Guards officer who took up arms to fight against Putin 's force in the Ukrainian International Legion Captain Harris on the frontline. It was following a battle in the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut that he lost his left leg Eventually, Captain Harris was repatriated to the UK where he was treated at St George’s Hospital in London. It was here that his left leg was amputated.Before he joined the international legion, Captain Harris attended Sandhurst's Military Academy. He was commissioned into the Coldstream Guards in December 2010 and posted to the 1st Battalion and was subsequently second-in-command of a company and operations officer in Afghanistan.Captain Harris left the army in 2014 but, after Russian invaded Ukraine in February 2022, he travelled to the to the Ukrainian border and offered to help with any humanitarian or training work in which he could use his skills.A month later he joined the International Legion as a private solider.Together with his fellow volunteers, he helped repel the Russian advances where Ukrainian forces were left impressed with his ability to carry out missions with determination.Captain Harris then managed to persuade his commanders to let him form two units. They would operate like special forces and raid high-value targets, especially Russian armour. In a daring commando raid led by Harris across the Southern Bug River, they infiltrated Kherson and brought back nine prisoners of war.After he lost his leg, Captain Harris did not allow that to stop him from helping with the war effort. Just three months after the amputation he was back in Ukraine, equipped with a prosthetic leg, leading his team from a mobile tactical headquarters. Captain Harris with his niece and nephew. He was not just a hero on the frontline, his three nephews and three nieces, loved him dearly and looked up to their 'Uncle Ned'When Ukraine launched its incursion into Russian-held territory at Kursk between August and October 2024, he strongly believed the operation was ill-conceived and some of those who died in the fight were his close comrades.In November 2024, Captain Harris resigned from the International legion and was promptly awarded the Ukrainian Order of Courage.In the last months of his life, Captain Harris visited the families of his fallen comrades and visited schools and talked to young people about his experiences, emphasising the importance of discipline, training and resilience in overcoming difficulties. He had planned to start studying for a degree in psychology at the end of this year and had engaged with combat stress organisations with a view to helping others.Captain Harris was not just a hero on the frontline, his three nephews and three nieces, loved him dearly and looked up to their 'Uncle Ned' who was always interested to hear their latest adventures and celebrate their achievements.He never married. In the summer, at home in London, he took his own life. He is survived by his father and mother and two sisters.Ned Harris, born August 20 1985, died August 26 2025