Veterans’ discharge campaign

A FIFE veteran is at the forefront of a charity drive to support a campaign for improvements in the way armed forces veterans are medically discharged into civilian life.

In polling released by Help for Heroes for the launch of its 40,000 Strong campaign, 70% of wounded veterans described their medical discharge as “negative” and more than 60% felt they had not received enough support while transitioning out of the forces.

The charity is now calling on the UK Government to review the existing medical discharge process to ensure those forced to leave the military as a result of injuries or illness are given the best possible opportunity to transition well into civilian life.

Among those who took part in the survey was former RAF Squadron leader Ken de Soyza from Kirkcaldy, who was medically discharged after 22 years of service when an undiagnosed and untreated service-related back injury led to severe spasms.

“The result of the medical board decision was that I had to clear my desk and not return to work,” said Ken, 57. “It never occurred to me that no one would keep in contact with me or follow up.

“I had to hand in my RAF identity card, rail pass and return my uniforms.

“I felt so isolated afterwards. Now I just feel as if I just don’t quite fit in the civilian community.”

Rob Colgrave, Scottish fundraising manager for Help for Heroes, said: “We’re on a mission to ensure every wounded hero has the best opportunity to stand strong in civilian life.”

A POIGNANT festival is under way in Dundee to celebrate the lives of loved ones who have passed away.

The event, entitled To Absent Friends, is a Scotland-wide festival of storytelling and remembrance.

It was started in 2014 to give people an opportunity to celebrate the lives and memories of those who have died, through stories and acts of reminiscence.

It runs across Scotland until Thursday.

The launch of this year’s festival took place at

POLICE are scrutinising CCTV footage from shops on the city’s Perth Road in the hunt for an attacker who sexually assaulted a 22-year-old woman.

Residents and workers nearby spoke of their horror after learning of the incident which happened on Friday night outside the Canton House Chinese takeaway.

The woman was sexually assaulted at around 11.30pm outside the takeaway before the man fled the scene.

Police have examined CCTV footage from a nearby Spar supermarket.

And a member of staff, who declined to be named, said: “It’s terrible.

“When I heard about it I was really shocked that something like that could happen on a busy street like the Perth Road and at that time of night.

“It is scary stuff and I hope they catch him soon.”

A woman at West End Butchers also spoke of her shock at the November 1 incident.

She said: “I read about it on