Ready to explode Up to half of our bomb disposal heroes have PTSD
HAUNTED HERO’S ANGER KIND READERS MAKING OUR XMAS
HALF of the Army’s bomb disposal experts are feared to be suffering from post traumatic stress disorder.
The stark revelation comes in a report sent to MPS as part of a probe into mental illness within the armed forces and veterans.
The Army has around 350 bomb disposal experts and most have seen action in Iraq or Afghanistan.
The small force is comprised of some of the most highly-trained and decorated soldiers in the Army.
But the report seen by the Sunday People – which has campaigned for better treatment of sufferers – says the number with PTSD could be “significantly” higher than the Ministry of Defence believes.
Minefields
Up to 200 serving and former Ammunition Technical Officers took part in an anonymous survey which indicated half had symptoms of PTSD – from mild to severe.
ATOS are key to national security and are often first on the scene of a terror attack.
In Afghanistan and Iraq they defused thousands of IEDS.
And they were often forced to enter minefields to clear paths aths so that dead or wounded troops ops could be extracted. The solol- diers also had to search h dead colleagues to remove ammunition and hand grenades before a postmortem.
The PTSD study was conducted by the Felix-health organisation.
The report says members of the bomb disposal force may be “more susceptible because of the repetitive exposure to traumatic situations”. It also said treatment and support given to soldiers, veterans and families was often poor.
The report cited one former senior officer who was diagnosed with PTSD and became suicidal. But his GP told him he would have to wait six weeks for an assessment by a psychiatrist.
One f ormer
ATO who took part in the study said: “There are bomb disposal operators in the
Army today who have PTSD but they are worried that they might lose their careers if they ask for help.
“That means individuals with a mental illness are in the front line in a potential terrorist attack against this country.” HERO Major Wayne Owers defused 93 bombs in Afghanistan in 2009 and out of an 11-strong team was the only one to return unharmed. But the mental trauma and nightmares inflicted by what he saw ultimately cost him his career.
Wayne, 48, was diagnosed with PTSD and discharged from the Army in 2016. The veteran, whose wife Sukie is a headteacher, said: “The Army was my life but in my darkest hour when I most needed help I was told, ‘You are no longer fit to serve’.
“It was a devastating blow. The doctors treating me said that I was PAST Christmases in war zones haunt Afghanistan vet Ash Evans but this year held particular dread for him.
A child tax credit blunder meant the ex-soldier could not afford Christmas for wife Vik and their seven kids.
After six years with the Royal Corps of Signals, Ash, 29, suffers posttraumatic stress, with flashbacks and night terrors, and is unable to work.
But thanks to generous Sunday People readers backing our Christmas Heroes Appeal he and his family WILL be able to celebrate Christmas. This week they received a hamper of goodies from The Veterans Charity including vouchers so the couple can buy gifts for Josh, 16, Thomas, 14, Kara, 12, Lowri, seven, Logan, five, Oliver, four, and Charlie, one.
Next week they will get a food delivery to cook Christmas lunch.
Vik, 35, of Aberfan, Merthyr Tydfil, said: “I can’t tell you how much it means to me and my family. It is overwhelming. It has made Ash quite emotional to know that people do care about veterans like him and we making progress. I could have continued serving.”
While in the grip of his illness Major Owers did a second tour in Afghanistan, ran the Defence Terrorist Bomb Disposal Training School and commanded more than 120 specialists.
He continued: “The reality is that if I had kept my mouth shut I would still be serving – with promotion a realistic prospect.
“What message does that send to soldiers who think they might have PTSD? If you ask for help you’ll be thrown out of the Army.
“I know soldiers who have said they are better when they’re not because they don’t want to lose their careers.”
Major Owers lost close friends in Afghanistan and described the workload there as “horrendous”, with six disposal teams tackling bombs several times a day.
He added: “The treatment my wife received was disgusting. There was no support, no help – and that is a clear breach of the Military Covenant.
“I was sent home, given a prescription for very strong antidepressants and almost forgotten. I had been a soldier for 27 years.
“It was my life and suddenly it was gone.” can’t say thank you enough.” Each £200 Christmas package has a grocery delivery and a hamper which include meat, veg, store cupboard staples, a tree, decorations and a gift card for presents.
Text PHCA18 to 70070 to give, send cheques to “The Veterans Charity” to Sunday People, Christmas Heroes Appeal, Reach plc, One Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5AP. Call or email the charity (01271 859211/contact@veteranscharity.org. uk) to make a bank transfer.