‘MY CHILDREN WANT THEIR DADDY AND THEY CAN’T HAVE HIM’
Heartbroken mum’s anguish after Army partner took own life while suffering from PTSD after friend died in his arms
D YLAN Jones served in the armed forces for 18 years and served tours in Northern Ireland, Afghanistan and Iraq as a member of the Welsh Guards, 14 Signal Regiment and Royal Welch Fusiliers.
But an impressive career in the forces took an emotional toll.
One friend died in his arms after being shot. A number of others were killed by an explosive device.
Sick of suffering with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), on July 4, 2015, the 37-year-old, of Llansawel, Carmarthenshire, drove to the top of a mountain and took his own life – leaving twin children behind.
Now ten-year-old Malachai and Faith’s mother, his former partner Amanda Edwards, believes more should have been done to help him cope with the condition that plagued him.
Ms Edwards, 44, of Ceredigion, said: “Dylan was in the army for 18 years, when he left he was on the NHS waiting list.
“He couldn’t hang on, he was in a terrible state and he needed help.
“We split up because of the way he was but we had a g good friendshipp for the twins.
“He started ted off in Northern Ireland, joinedned the Army when he was 16, and whilst out there his friend got shot and died in his arms.
“A couplee of years later he went to Iraq q and Afghanistan.
“Up untill then he said our son was going to bee a soldier.
“When he came backck the last timeme he saidd Mal a c h a i would nev- - er join the forces because heh was traumatise matised. “I knew the PTS PTSD was bad wh when he said I a am frightened to have the twins bec cause he was ” getting angry, I knew he was in a bad way.
“He just really struggled, he was drinking a lot and was a shell of himself. He was going from day to day existing, nothing made him happy.
“Dylan was very deep. He started to talk about incidents in Afghanistan.
“He went over an IED and four of his friends were killed. He pulled one of his friends from underneath the vehicle and there was nothing below his waist.
“He said he would be talking to people in the Land Rover and in 60 seconds they would be in pieces behind you.”
Speaking about Dylan’s death and the effect it has had on their children, Amanda said it was “unfair” that Malachai and Faith has to grow up without a father.
She said: “It was horrific, it was the worst news I have ever had.
“It was something we can’t come to terms with after giving 18 years to the armed forces, it shouldn’t have happened.
“My children have taken it awfully.”
Malachai and Faith recently attended a party a Buckingham Palace for children of parents who had died in the armed forces, which was attended by the Duchess of Cambridge.
Speaking about the event, Amanda said: “It was a lovely day but a sad day.
“It was nice for the children to know they are not on their own. In the beginning they thought they were the only ones.
“They talk about Dylan all the time. They just don’t understand.
“I have to be honest with them and it’s the hardest thing in the world telling them their father had gone to heaven and had chosen to take his life.
“They have got a lot of unanswered questions.”
Amanda is now keen to raise awareness surrounding PTSD and is urging anyone suffering to seek help and not give up.
“I would ask people to seek help, definitely,” she said.
“There’s help out there now, there’s not a lot and the NHS waiting list is ridiculous but don’t give up, talk to your family.
“It’s horrific thinking and knowing Dylan’s not coming back.
“My children want their daddy and they can’t have him.”