Work-in-Progress
My stress began in earnest during my 2012 military service in Camp Bastion, Afghanistan when I realised I could have saved two men’s lives, US Marine allies killed-in-action by Taliban attackers during their airfield raid of 14/15 September. It was that personal guilt and professional shame that initiated my need to become a whistleblower and report my and others failures to defend the base. With only two weeks in-theatre left my focus was on one thing – surviving to ensure I could tell my story. I shamefully refused an invitation to do a sixth top-cover duty when asked for by the recovery mechanic drivers who had seen my tactics work on previous patrols. I’ve been at war ever since, only now it’s against the corrupt fuckers who stole our treasure and wasted so much blood.
I tried to do things by the book, first reporting it at my home unit 207 Field Hospital Manchester, but they said 'Best not to say anything'. I left the army in April 2013 and waited six months (a period you’re still subject to military law I think) before reporting my concerns in October / November 2013. I met with the regional commander (42 North West) Brigadier Nick Fitzgerald at Preston Barracks, corresponded with parliament’s Defence Committee via my MP Graham Brady, and I corresponded with the Ministers for Veterans who replied on behalf of the Minister of Defence. Everyone of them thanked me for my service but not one of them did a fucking thing about the matters I was trying to report.
The repercussions I’ve endured since – career sabotaged, mental and physical torture, and grave abuses by police, Intel agencies, parliamentary and governmental of their duties – are all ongoing. And so I’ve decided to share two letters (identities redacted) from my NHS records to shine a public light on the battles I’m fighting behind the scenes, and highlight the dangers and challenges I’m facing.