Brit heroes left in sub-zero barracks after boiler packed up eight months ago and bosses ‘can’t afford to fix it’
One whistleblower has been told there is no money to repair the boiler, forcing soldiers to use personal heaters to keep warm
SOLDIERS have been forced to live in freezing conditions at their barracks after a boiler packed up.
Up to 60 have been hit, with one whistleblower saying chiefs can’t afford to fix it — eight months after it broke.
Some soldiers from 16 Regiment Royal Artillery have had to get electric heaters at Baker Barracks, Thorney Island near Chichester, West Sussex.
The senior source spoke out because they have had to live in sub-zero overnight accommodation in the Sergeants' Mess.
The NCO – who has been in the Army for more than 10 years - said: "Top brass are saying there is no money left to repair the boiler.
"It is disgusting that we pay rent for this, any other landlord would be taken to court.
"If we were allowed to join a union we would all be on strike.
"I would be better off in Afghanistan. At least it was warm there and we were looked after."
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He said it is hitting morale and causing experienced soldiers to consider quitting the Army.
Colonel Peter Walton, a non-executive director of armed forces campaign group UK National Defence Association, said: "I have never heard of anything quite this bad. That is outrageous.
"Yes, the Army is short of money but not short of hundreds of pounds to sort out a boiler."
An Army spokesman said: "We acknowledge there have been heating issues in the Sergeants' Mess at Baker Barracks which we are striving to resolve.
"During this period personal heaters have been issued and there is now the option for the mess occupants to transfer to the new state-of-the-art single living accommodation blocks which have been built at the barracks."