'I was homeless, eating out of bins, in and out of jobs and losing my mind'

A veteran of the Iraq war, who suffered with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, is calling for greater support for people leaving the military. Louis Miles, 37, grew up in Bognor but now lives in Sidlesham, a village near Chichester. He joined the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment at 16 and served for eight years, including two tours of Iraq in 2007 and 2008/9.

After leaving the military in 2011, he was soon diagnosed with chronic Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). He also sustained multiple injuries including issues with his right foot and knee, a prolapsed disc in his lower back and a right shoulder injury. Louis (fourth from left) served for eight years in the Royal Tank Regiment, including two tours of Iraq (Image: Supplied) He has undergone multiple surgeries and is now registered as disabled.



He said: “I had school life then army life. When I left, I felt like I didn’t have a clue what I was doing. I was homeless, eating out of bins, in and out of jobs and losing my mind.

It was an absolute nightmare.” After a friend put him in touch with a friend who worked for Help for Heroes, Louis was able to receive support and therapy from multiple charities which helped him get back on track. Louis said he has now “settled down”, bought his own house and is working full time at Crimsham Farm.

Crimsham is an outdoor educational place for children and young people with additional needs. The farm is also runs a veteran’s hub which offers a monthly breakfast club for serving soldiers, veterans, and their families in a woodland setting. On November 9, Louis raised £1,000 for Crimsham running the notoriously hilly South Downs half marathon.

Louis raised £1000 for Crimsham running the notoriously hilly South Downs half marathon (Image: Supplied) Louis believes support for veterans is “better than it was” but still needs improving. Louis said: “You have to go out and find the help and sometimes people don’t get that chance. Some people don’t want to admit they need help.

It’s a minefield. “There should be things in place when you leave the army. When you sign off from the military, you have to do one more year of service.

In that year there should be more preparation for civilian life such as working out how to get into housing. “Many people fall down a black hole.”.