Save our Iraq War heroes from the post traumatic stress that killed Kevin Williams
I CAN’T stop thinking about boy soldier Kevin Williams, who was sent to fight in Iraq when he was just a teenager and witnessed scenes of unimaginable carnage.
Kevin suffered post traumatic stress and is thought to have taken his own life last month because he was unable to cope with the harrowing effects of the war.
He was just 29.
Kevin was deployed to Iraq with the Royal Green Jackets on the very day of his 18th birthday.
One of his friends was killed over there and he struggled to deal with that bereavement. He then failed a drugs test when he was 22 and was discharged.
Kevin never adjusted to civilian life outside and had frightening flashbacks. A few weeks ago his devastated family found his lifeless body.
I can’t imagine the pain they are going through, especially as Kevin seemed to have turned a corner and was getting his life back on track.
It’s so desperately sad. None of us civilians really know what being in a battle is like. We’ve seen the movies and read the books but we haven’t smelled the blood and guts and viewed the devastation.
I still get flashbacks from almost 30 years ago, when I was a TV reporter and one of the first at the scene of the Lockerbie bombing.
A passenger jet exploded over the Scottish town, killing 270, everyone on the flight and 11 on the ground.
There were dead bodies and bits of smouldering, twisted metal everywhere.
I will take those images to my grave, but my experience was nothing compared with what our military men and women have had to witness.
Sadly, in recent years we have seen too many of our wounded heroes returning from battle with appalling, life-changing wounds. They have lost limbs, been blinded and disfigured.
It’s utterly tragic, but at least their battle scars are visible.
For young men and women such as Kevin, the mental injuries are just not apparent. People have no idea what they are going through. There’s sadly still a military culture of maintaining a stiff upper lip, and that an admission of overwhelming feelings of anxiety and depression somehow means you are a failure or even a coward.
Of course this is ridiculous, but it goes back to the days when severely mentally damaged young men on the battlefronts of World War One were dismissed as having “shell shock”, when the reality was that they were suffering severe PTSD.
Since the Falklands War especially, we have learned a lot more about the effects of PTSD on our troops.
Some sufferers are able to talk to their comrades, but a lot of the fear and anxiety is covered up with jokes and banter.
We know, however, that jet black humour will only take you so far and what’s needed is expert aid and greater understanding.
Thankfully there are charities such as Help for Heroes, of which I am proud to be a patron, which are doing groundbreaking work helping victims of PTSD.
Slowly but surely attitudes are changing and those struggling are becoming more confident about opening up about their feelings and realising they are not alone and that help is available.
Earlier this week there was a remarkable programme about Jonny Holloway, a wounded Afghanistan veteran so crippled by PTSD that he was unable to leave his house for two years.
The Secret Helpers, on BBC2, showed how the 25-year-old finally asked for help when his wife Lauren became pregnant.
He agreed to be part of the show, which aims to change lives, and his progress was remarkable thanks to an unlikely group of “helpers”, consisting of two New York coppers, an Irish nun and a South African traditional healer.
It was fascinating and uplifting and all credit to Jonny for being brave enough to open up to this unconventional way of finding his way back to a happier life after years of living in the shadows.
Sadly, in the end, poor young Kevin couldn’t be saved.
But his death should make us all the more determined to make sure everyone suffering from PTSD gets the help, support and understanding they need and deserve.
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans on (free) 116123 or 020 7734 2800.
Time for action to stop London bloodbath is now
THERE can be no more hand-wringing, platitudes or excuses.
The appalling loss of life in London due to stabbings and shootings has reached crisis point, and what we need is action not words.
When a British city has overtaken New York for its murder rate, and is up there with South America when it comes to gang violence, then we are in a whole world of trouble.
For too long this situation has been virtually ignored because those being killed or maimed were poor and non-white.
There appears to be a reluctance on the part of the authorities to tackle such a serious loss of life in case they face accusations of racism.
What pathetic, patronising bilge.
The killers need to be punished but the gang culture has to be tackled.
It needs to be replaced with community pride and the chance for these young men to find a decent job and better life through education and more opportunities.
They also need to be prepared to put in some hard graft.
There are some incredibly dedicated men and women trying to fight knife crime. They are also tackling the insidious and seductive gang culture that gives neglected and vulnerable young people a false sense of self-worth and belonging.
Those working at the sharp end need to be listened to and their opinions respected.
Things will not change overnight, but this needs to be top of the agenda and tackled right now.
Losing a pet is so painful
MY heart goes out to Ashley Banjo, who is mourning the loss of his dog Rocky. The Dancing On Ice judge grew up with his dog.
All of us who lose pets know just how upsetting it can be. It really is like saying goodbye to one of the family.
I lost my own “Rocky” four years ago and it was a shock that took a long, long time to get over. Just before Christmas we welcomed another little border terrier into our lives and baby Angus has been a total joy.
Ashley has filled the void left by his Rocky with a new Great Dane puppy.
While he will love having Melvin around, you never forget any of your pets, especially one that has been part for your life for so long.
Spain has the X Factor
APPARENTLY X Factor producers are on the hunt for fresh new talent in Spain to take part in this year’s show.
Maybe the home-grown landscape of wannabes looks like the seabed after those fishing trawlers have been over and scooped up all the best shellfish.
There’s only a few wonky mussels and a couple of dried-up conger eels left on the bottom. The X Factor scouts will be having a look at and a listen to some of the expat community.
Just so long as they don’t allow acts such as Shane Richie’s naff Sammy Valentino, from sitcom Benidorm, to get through to the finals, I reckon a few sunny Spanish singers could give the show a boost.
And if producers are looking for a funny, fiercely intelligent, knowledgeable, charismatic and caring new judge then they should give Craig David, right, a call immediately.
He would bring real heart and soul, as well as honesty and constructive criticism, and his acts would be treated like his little brothers and sisters.
Duke of hazard
THERE are not many men less than four years away from their 100th birthday who would be put under the knife for a major op.
Prince Philip, at 96, is obviously in a class of his own and tough as old boots. He apparently wanted the surgery on his hip so he’d be able to dance a bit at his grandson Harry’s wedding to Meghan Markle next month.
Knowing the old boy’s stubborn resilience, I wouldn’t be surprised if he also went on to do Strictly later this year.
MOST READ IN OPINION
Klass-ic way to turn 40
MYLEENE Klass continues to defy the ageing process in a new set of photos to celebrate her 40th birthday yesterday.
I have bras and knickers that look older than Myleene. She has the body of a 21-year-old and the face to match.
She’s achieved her astonishingly youthful looks by sheer determination, willpower and bloody hard work – and without resorting to artificial assistance.
She also refuses to be cowed by trolls who have given her a hard time over the years, refreshingly telling them that their opinions are irrelevant and she is keeping fit and healthy for her daughters.
Myleene is defying the critics in the best way, by looking and feeling fantastic and enjoying her life.
More power to her.