Fury over ex-soldier left to die on the streets
THE death of a homeless ex-serviceman has sparked outrage from campaigners demanding more support for veterans.
Darren Greenfield had served with the royal Tank regiment but, after leaving the Army, he struggled to cope with civilian life and ended up begging for spare change in his khakis.
The 47-year-old became a familiar face outside Edinburgh’s Waverley railway station with a cardboard sign bearing his service number and the message: ‘Soldier in need, please help, thank you God bless.’
The veteran reportedly died on December 17 after being admitted to hospital, though the cause of death has not been released.
He is said to have rejected the offer of help from one veterans’ charity. Soldiers Off The Street said: ‘Luckily not many homeless veterans refuse help when offered.
‘Sadly one ex-royal Tank Darren who sat at the top of the Waverley Steps in Edinburgh sadly died on the 17th December after refusing help from Soldiers Off The Street.
‘[Armed Forces charity] SSAFA and others tried helping him but we think the streets was his only way of living and coping with life… now he can rest in peace to fly with the angels.’
There are estimated to be at least 13,000 homeless veterans in the UK, many of whom have struggled with their mental health.
Ex-infantry sergeant Calum MacLeod, who runs charity Who Dares Cares to help sufferers of post-traumatic stress disorder, said: ‘It is a sign of the times that a soldier is left to die on our streets. Many people will be angry that a hero was sleeping rough but many more will now be furious that he has been left to die there. It is an utter outrage.
‘The homeless problem will get worse as the forces are downsized and more people return from the campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan.
‘This is a long-term problem with no easy solution.’ Tommy Davidson, of Ancre Somme Association Scotland, which is dedicated to honouring Scots who have served in conflicts, said he came across Mr Greenfield while shopping six months ago.
He said: ‘I kneeled down beside him and asked him some questions, like had he eaten or had something to drink that day. At that time he said he had something in the pipeline that he was just waiting on coming through.’
Mr Davidson said he wants more to be done to help ex- soldiers sleeping rough, adding: ‘These people would have given their lives at one point when they were serving, so we should be able to help get them a home and career opportunities. They are highly skilled people – there must be something we can do to help them get back on their feet.’
Mr Greenfield joined the Army from school and served with the 2nd royal Tank regiment from 1986 to 1990 before transferring to the royal Army Pay Corps. In 1992 he then moved to the Adjutant General’s Corps until 1998, when he left the Army.
A former colleague described him online as a ‘true gentleman and a fantastic soldier’.
‘Long-term problem with no easy solution’