DOCTORS in charge of treating Private Gavin Williams at an army clinic in Tidworth on the day he died were missing vital information about his condition, an inquest has heard.

Giving evidence at Salisbury Coroner's Court this morning, Dr Rowena French, said she had not been told the private had collapsed while walking to the centre, that he was sweaty and dehydrated, that he had complained of passing blood in his faeces or that he had behaved "irrationally" by throwing water all over himself.

She said the only information she was given by an army medic was that the private had been 'beasted' that morning, was "claiming" to be passing blood in his urine and that she was warned not to see him on her own because he had been aggressive.

The 22-year-old died on July 3, 2006 after undergoing the 'beasting' punishment consisting of intense physical exercise which involved marching at high speed and then a gym session with physical training instructors.

Dr French, who was covering at the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Health Centre for the duty doctor on the day, Mark Darbyshire, while he had lunch, told the inquest that if she had known all the details, heat illness would have been "very much at the fore" of her mind.

But on the information she was given, she requested a urine sample along with other basic checks thinking if he had been passing blood in his urine, it could be related to infection, a kidney stone, an injury or strenuous exercise.

The inquest heard that Dr Darbyshire returned shortly after and she handed over duties back to him.

Dr Darbyshire, who was also giving evidence in court today, said he had not been told that the case was urgent and was waiting for the results of the urine test and other basic checks to be returned.

However, on deciding to go and have a look at the patient shortly after, he heard a scuffle behind the door and on opening it he saw Pte Williams curled up on the floor in a corner of the audiology room, facing the wall.

He said Provost Sergeant Russell Price, Staff Sergeant Paul Blake and Corporal John Edwards were also in the small room and that the atmosphere was tense.

He told the inquest he tried to explain to Pte Williams who he was and that he needed the private to cooperate so his temperature could be taken but when he touched the private, he "lashed out" and would not let him get close.

He said he had tried to reason with him and get him across to a treatment room, which was a larger room.

He told the inquest Pte Williams was agitated, seemed very angry and was breathing hard.

He said his "bizarre manner" combined with his unusual behaviour over the weekend caused him to think the private had a mental health problem, and as a result, he requested assistance from the psychiatric department.

Dr Darbyshire who left the army in 2008 told the inquest that if he had been made aware of the background situation, he would have given "far greater weight" to it being a physical illness rather than a mental illness.

Coroner Judge Alan Large said: "I think it's fair to say if everyone had been told everything, medical staff at all stages would have been much better able to deal with what was actually going on."

Pte Williams of Hengoed, Caerphilly, died at Salisbury District Hospital on July 3, 2006.

Based at Lucknow Barracks with the 2nd Battalion The Royal Welsh, he had undergone the 'beasting' punishment on one of the hottest days of the year.

Test showed his body temperature was 41.7C, above the norm of 37C. Tests later showed he had ecstasy in his body when he died.

In July 2008, Sgt Price, SSgt Blake and Cpl Edwards were cleared of the manslaughter of Pte Williams by a jury at Winchester Crown Court.

The inquest continues.