Ex-sergeant Doctors failed to diagnose my mental illness
care. I needed their help and I was fobbed off. “I told the doctors three times that I’d been seeing things and didn’t feel right. But they gave me Valium and sent me away. “I saw myself change. I was getting aggressive and seeing things. I don’t know what triggered it but it’s probably to do with all the things I had seen while in Bosnia.” George, of Paisley, joined as a chef but also did military training and guard duty patrols. He was posted to war-torn Bosnia in 1993 as part of the Cheshire Regiment on a United Nations peacekeeping mission. Tasked with the clear- up of Gornji Vakuf-Uskoplje, he saw the aftermath of the brutal war. George said: “I saw young children with legs blown off, dead cattle and a blown-up city. I watched as landmines were pulled away from our truck so we could get by on patrols. I was never offered counselling or support.” Dad- of- four George at tacked Sergeant Major Greg Victors with a hammer following a row. He said: “That guy threatened to kill me and I lost it. I was never a violent man and couldn’t believe I’d done it.
“But I wasn’t well and that’s what I’m trying to get through to the Army. I was seeing things and suffering from an illness they should have spotted.
“That’s why I’m fighting for them to give me a medical discharge. I shouldn’t have been court martialled, I should’ve been sent to a hospital.”
George, who has spent time in a psychiatric ward, claims his condition is now under control thanks to medication.
However, he is unable to get a job and says his marriage broke down because of his illness.
He added: “It’s been a tough few years. I’m only asking for what I deserve. If they refuse, my only other option will be to take them to court. I was very proud to be a soldier but I feel very let down.”
An Army spokesman said: “Mr Clarke was discharged in 2002 and put in a retrospective complaint earlierthis year.
“At the first stage, it was decided the condition he was diagnosed with would not have resulted in a medical discharge. However, Mr Clarke was unhappy with this outcome and escalated the matter.
“It’s still a live complaint. It would be inappropriate to comment further.”