A DISTURBING dossier of cover-ups and abuse at Army bases in North Yorkshire has been uncovered in an investigation by The Northern Echo.

Reports spanning almost two decades of soldiers who say they were bullied and beaten at Catterick Garrison last night added weight to calls for an urgent independent inquiry into non-combat deaths at all Army bases.

One of the most shocking allegations uncovered during the investigation came from a former private who spoke out for the first time to claim that he was gang-raped at Strensall barracks, in York, in 1985.

The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, also alleged he and others were beaten by officers at Catterick - Europe's biggest Army base.

He said he had made complaints to the Army but that they were never investigated because he was told he would not have been believed.

"I have never really got over what happened to me," he said. "As soon as it happened I wanted to leave the Army. They said no one would believe me."

Other cases in The Northern Echo investigation include:

* A soldier who collapsed and died during a forced march after he was pushed and dragged along by other recruits. His mother claimed he had been bullied before his death;

* A private who died from a gunshot wound despite his weapon being checked as empty before an exercise;

* Recruits who were victimised by an officer who gave them black eyes and bruises;

* A soldier on guard duty with another private who was found dead with a gunshot wound. His family deny he could have killed himself.

Lynn Farr, mother of Private Daniel Farr, who died in mysterious circumstances at the base in 1997 wants a public inquiry into non-combat deaths at Catterick.

Demands for an independent inquiry into Army deaths in peacetime were prompted by the deaths of four soldiers at Deepcut Barracks, Surrey.

Pte Geoff Gray, 17, of Seaham, County Durham, Pte Cheryl James, 18, Pte James Collinson, 17, and Pte Sean Benton all died from gunshot wounds while stationed at the camp.

Geoff Gray's father, Geoff, with the support of Kevin McNamara MP, wants an independent inquiry into Deepcut with a wider remit to include deaths at all UK Army bases, a move backed by The Northern Echo.

Surrey Police is currently investigating the Deepcut deaths as well as independent forensics investigator, Frank Swann, who is expected to reveal his findings later this month.

Mrs Farr said: "We do not know why there is so much secrecy. We never get to know the full facts, the more you ask the more they close up.

"An inquiry is not going to bring these lads back but it may stop other young people dying. There are far too many."

Mrs Farr has enlisted the help of former opposition leader and Richmond MP William Hague who wrote to Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram asking if there would be an inquiry at Catterick.

In a letter, obtained by The Northern Echo, Mr Ingram revealed that there were no plans at present to re-investigate any non-combat deaths at Catterick.

It reads: "Incidents were investigated at the time of occurrence by the appropriate police authorities and an internal board of inquiry (BOI) would also be held, where appropriate, with the aim of identifying any failings in procedures that could be improved upon to prevent a re-occurrence.'

Mrs Farr said last night: "How many re-occurrences do they need. It is obvious that whatever procedures that have been put in place are not working.

"If they were effective these deaths would have stopped a long time ago."

Mr Hague said last night that he was unable to comment as he was away from his constituency office which holds all his correspondence.

A Ministry of Defence spokeswoman said the Army had a zero tolerance approach to bullying.

She said there were a number of channels that soldiers could use to report allegations of bullying and abuse. These would be thoroughly investigated.

Serious allegations, such as rape, would be investigated by police, she said.