A homeless war hero takes his own life for felling ‘lost’ after leaving the Army.
The ex-soldier named Wayne Green, aged 29 was found dead in a friend’s flat 19 months later after being medically discharged from the Army with mental health issues.
The ex-soldier served in Duke of Lancaster Regiment and was based at Catterick, North Yorkshire.
He has been sleeping on friends’ sofas and in B&BS and hostels.
Wayne was found dead on 17th December. His family said that he was not receiving enough support after leaving the Army.
Wayne’s dad, Wayne Snr, told the press, “All he wanted was his little place, but after he left, he received no help from the Army.”
He Felt He Was A Burden
Wayne used to have the job of putting up pylons.
He realized his dream by joining the Army in 2017 after leaving his job.
But his dad said that Wayne used to ‘fell like a burden’ after he was discharged from the Army.
Wayne Snr added, “He’d always wanted to join. But sadly, it didn’t work out, and he was medically discharged.
“He came home, and I don’t think he could accept he’d left.
“We saw him going down and down. We did everything we could to help.
After he left, he seemed lost. There should be more support
“But he had his pride and felt he was a burden. He didn’t have his place; he was sofa surfing.
“He’d never speak about his time in the Army, we could never get to the bottom of it. But after he left, he seemed lost.
“There should be more support. But it seems one day you’re in, the next you’re out, and you become someone else’s problem.”
According to reports, it is said that around 35,000 armed forces veterans could be homeless this Christmas, with many sleeping rough.
However, when Wayne when he became homeless, The Bolton Armed Forces Centre for Veterans helped him.
‘Nothing From The Army’
Wayne Snr said, “He had nothing from the Army; that’s why he came here.”
The center is under the responsibility of Cait Smith and Scott Hawtrey.
They called out for more help for homeless veterans like Wayne.
Scott said, “We helped with temporary accommodation, but he was at the end of his tether.”
Cait added, “The Government and other authorities should do more. That’s why we’re here, picking up the pieces.
“We saw Wayne the Friday before he died, and he was in high spirits. But he was bouncing between places, and it was hard to get the support.”
Darren Greenfield, another war veteran, aged 47, was found dead after begging on the streets in his khakis in Edinburgh last December.
While marking the similar turn of disgraceful events, in 2015, George, an 82-year-old former member of the armed forces, was found dead in his sleeping bag.
Homeless charity Shelter believes 350,000 people are homeless in the UK, with veterans’ charity Once, We Were Soldiers estimating 10 percent are ex-forces personnel.
