LEFT TO ROT BY ARMY BOSSES

Afghan hero claims he was dumped over PTSD

A WAR hero who developed PTSD was driven to the brink of suicide after becoming an “embarrassment” to the Army.

Former Lance Sergeant Frankie Ward says he was even victimised by his bosses when he returned from Afghanistan.

Frankie, 36, claims: “Developing PTSD is a terrible thing. I never, ever thought it would happen to me.

“But when I needed help, I was victimised by senior members of my regiment who were meant to be responsible for my welfare.

“I was at the point where I thought about suicide. I didn’t want to go on.”

Frankie was diagnosed after rescuing soldiers while under fire on the frontline. He was sent home on sick leave for six months but says he did not get a single call, visit or email from his battalion.

He was medically discharged in 2016 after 12 years of service and told he was not allowed to serve again after being diagnosed with depression.

Now he is forced to survive on a pension of just £900 a month.

He said: “I became ill after serving my country but instead of helping me, I was effectively booted out of the Army.

“I was made to feel as though it was my fault that I was ill.

“Senior ranks looked on me as an embarrassment.”

Frankie arrived in Afghanistan in October 2010 and served almost every day on the frontline until March 2011.

In one incident he ran 200 yards under fire to reach a comrade shot by a sniper and give first aid, then carry him back.

Commanders called him an “excellent soldier” with

“true infantry grit” and he was recommended for promotion. But he began to suffer nightmares, flashbacks and anxiety. He eventually had PTSD counselling but his medical records say he developed a “substantial disability”.

Frankie, from Birmingham, said: “My pension barely covers my costs. The MOD said my illness means I can never serve again.

“If it wasn’t for my family I would have taken my own life a long time ago,” he added.

The MOD said it took mental health seriously, giving access to training and a 24-hour helpline.

It added: “We’re working hard to tackle the stigma around coming forward and urge anyone struggling to seek support.” The Sunday People campaigns for veterans with our Save Our Soldiers crusade.

Meanwhile, more than 400 lonely veterans will be able to discuss their struggles at support groups thanks to a £100,000 grant.

The Together Project aims to bring ex-military together for meals after a survey found 41 per cent of working-age veterans have felt isolated.

Now hundreds more will benefit thanks to a grant from the National Lottery Community Fund to build six new groups in communities across the UK, run by the Armed Forces charity SSAFA.