ABANDONED TO LIVE ON THE STREETS are homeless
I hope to help others like me
STANDING with comrades in Afghanistan, there is no mistaking the pride Michael Chambers feels in serving his country.
The 35-year-old was a private in the Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment and also completed tours of Kosovo and Northern Ireland.
But in 2007, five years after he joined up aged 20, he accepted a dishonourable discharge in a bid to get out of the Army.
His desperate move came after he was crippled by what he later discovered was post-traumatic stress disorder.
The condition was sparked by a harrowing incident involving a suicide bomber in Afghanistan in November 2005.
Painful
After leaving the Army, he returned to his hometown of Windsor and worked in a warehouse for three-and-a-half years.
But he could not escape the painful memories of military life and turned to drink – routinely downing around nine litres of powerful cider a day.
Michael served just over a month in jail after being convicted of assault and battery in January 2014.
Despite finally being diagnosed with PTSD later the same year, his life continued to spiral out of control. In June 2016 he was homeless and taking drugs including heroin.
He said: “I was homeless for about six months but it felt like years. I was dossing down in drug users’ flats and going from despite the Government outlining its duty to serving and former personnel by enshrining the Armed Forces Covenant in law in 2011.
The covenant says veterans “should have priority status in applying for Government- sponsored affordable housing schemes, and service leavers should retain this status for a period of discharge”.
And it adds: “Support should be available for all service p personnel in order to assist their transition from service rvice to civilian life.”
Hero Craig Mealing, 42, completed t ours rs of Afghanistan, Iraq, Northern Ireland, eland, Kosovo and Bosnia with the Rifles. s.
But he was as left homeless for two months in 2016 after his long-term term relationship pillar to post. Initially the Army was perfect for me. They train you to fight and kill and everything you need to do, and they do everything for you.
“But when you get out they forget about you. The drugs helped me block it all out. I got medals for my service in Afghanistan and Kosovo but I threw them away when I was homeless. I just wanted to forget.”
Michael, who has a 17-year-old son, now has a home again but he knows of many former soldiers who are also suffering.
He said: “I’ve met plenty of former veterans who were homeless and in the same situation as me. Dozens, probably more than 40. I am getting help now and I’m getting my life back on track.
“I’ve got a flat and I’ve got a girlfriend who is supportive.
“I hope I’ll be able to help other veterans who have been through the same as me.”