‘I asked for help but no one was listening, they didn’t understand’ The tragic death of a traumatised SAS hero
COMBAT MEDIC HAD SAVED HUNDREDS OF SOLDIERS IN THE FIELD
AN SAS medic from Leicestershire was found dead after recording a heartbreaking video claiming his mental trauma and pleas for help had fallen on deaf ears.
Staff Sergeant Jamie Ferguson is credited with saving the lives of hundreds of soldiers on the battlefield during multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.
But it seems the 36-year-old failed to find the support needed to cope with emotional and psychological wounds he suffered while serving his country in conflict zones around the world.
SSgt Ferguson died on June 16 at Leuchars military base, in Fife, Scotland, where he was stationed, reports MirrorOnline.
In the heart-rending video recording, filmed shortly before his death, he said: “I asked for help but no one was listening, they didn’t understand.”
His death is reportedly the third at the same base in a year - and one of five in a single week last month.
The grim toll has raised fears of a grim spike caused by the coronavirus lockdown and prompted crossparty demands from MPs for action.
One MP said the tragedy of SSgt Ferguson should be “a catalyst for change” and another called for a specialist new mental health centre.
Since lockdown began, at least 14 serving personnel and veterans have been found dead.
Now SSgt Ferguson’s widow,
Sammi, is calling on the MoD and government to take responsibility.
“The MoD is in denial,” said the 50-year-old mum-of-three. “My husband asked for help, but he was ignored. How many more soldiers and veterans need to die?
“The MoD’s behaviour is a scandal and the government should be ashamed of itself. These soldiers were mentally traumatised in the service of this country and they have been disowned.
“My message to the MoD is please stop relying on charities to deal with mental health problems – it’s your job.
“My husband should be alive today. There will be Army wives who think their husbands are fine but who are planning to kill themselves. The MoD behaves as though this isn’t an issue.”
SSgt Ferguson, originally from Leicestershire, joined the Army at 16 and served for more than 20 years.
As a member of the Royal Army Medical Corps he served with the SAS between 2008 and 2012. Comrades, who knew him as Fergie, have been stunned by the death of the “awesome soldier” totally dedicated to his wife and family. The couple were married for more than 13 years and had a son, Lukas together, as well as two daughters from a previous marriage.
Sammi said her late husband had been treated for a condition which often leads to PTSD.
He developed it after a “supertraumatic” incident while serving on an Army anti-poaching operation in Malawi, in south-eastern Africa.
During the mission, soldier Mathew Talbot, 22, of the Coldstream Guards, was trampled by a rogue elephant and SSgt Ferguson fought desperately, but in vain, for two hours to keep him alive.
Sammi said: “When he came back home he was tense and I encouraged him to go to an Army doctor.
“He was diagnosed with an acute stress reaction and resigned his paramedic qualification.
“He said he never wanted to practise medicine again after the incident because he believed his mental health would be at risk if he continued.
“It was one trauma too many, one life lost too many. It had been weighing heavily on him. He wanted somebody to say, ‘You did everything you could.”
A further two other soldiers, members of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, reportedly killed themselves at the Leuchars military base last year.
SSgt Ferguson volunteered as a medic in the SAS and passed a rigorous special forces course known as Black Serpent in 2008.
He served with A Squadron, 22 SAS for the next four years, where he dedicated his life to keeping special forces soldiers alive.
He took part in numerous operations and over his career was credited with saving hundreds of lives.
In Afghanistan, he was involved in treating the victims of a 2009 attack by a rogue policeman who shot dead three Grenadier Guards and two military policemen as well as severely wounding six other soldiers.
SSgt Ferguson flew into the area as part of a helicopter medical emergency response team and gave life- saving treatment to soldiers who had been shot.
His last posting was permanent staff instructor for 205 Field Hospital, based in Dundee.
Sammi, of nearby Kirkcaldy, said: “Jamie loved working with the SAS and would never turn down the chance of going on an operation. There was one year where he was only home for nine days.
“I think he was in turmoil and he hid it very well. He was very private. There was absolutely no indication he was going to take his life.
“On the day he died he got up at 5.30am and said, ‘Goodbye, I will see you later. Love you.’
“Later, I was doing housework and two police came to say a body had been found at the back of the airfield.”
A tearful policeman played Sammi a transcript of the video Jamie had filmed in his car.
She said: “Jamie was the last person I would have thought would ever do this.
“He bought me my dream house and made it perfect. I feel he got everything set up and then said ‘I can go.’”
Comrade Paul Hartley, who won the George Medal in Afghanistan, said: “Fergie was the epitome of a soldier and paramedic.
“His superiors and subordinates would listen to him and follow him into any situation and his professionalism shone through.” Tory MP Julian Lewis, who is tabling a Parliamentary question on the issue, said: “Tragedies of this sort will continue without a national centre for excellence for personnel’s mental health, just as we have a centre for physical injuries and rehab.” Labour’s Stephen Morgan said: “The tragic death of SSgt Ferguson must be a catalyst for change.
“It is simply not good enough for the MoD to repeatedly issue condolences to families. Enough is enough.”
The Army said Jamie’s regiment and police were cooperating to investigate his death, adding: “Our thoughts are with his family and friends. It would be inappropriate to comment further.”
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The MoD is in denial. How many more soldiers and veterans need to die?
SSgt Ferguson’s widow, Sammi