I am lucky enough to have met William Shemwell at school, both aged 13ish and looking to have as much fun as possible. He was always happy and full of optimism even at the times when that seemed impossible and we shared many memories of mischieviousness and laughter that I will never forget.

We left school and joined the same college studying the same courses - Uniformed Services and BTEC Sports Science. After our 1st year, Will decided education was no longer for him and decided to join the army. He became a very proud tankie. He toured on the frontline to some of the most dangerous places on the planet, risking his life so that people like me and you could live our lives with a freedom we have become blindly accustomed to.

He saw and experienced things that most of us don't have to. He lost people he had become very close to and witnessed people dying at close hand. War has a long term effect on the brain and it is not something you can un-see or forget about. Will was discharged from the army as his issues and concerns meant he was unfit to serve. 

Instead of being thanked for his services, he was just dropped like an unwanted rash. There was no help, support or guidance to rehabilitate him back into our 'normal' society. He had the support of his loving family and close friends but we just couldn't understand what he had experienced, how could we?

Will became more and more addicted to alcohol and found it harder and harder to live and survive in our community. His neighbours looked down their noses at him and disregarded him as a good for nothing drunk. Little did they know that this was a man with serious capabilities. He had the skill to make almost anything with his bare hands out of wood & metal. He had a caring heart as big as you could find. But more importantly, he sacrificed his regular life and sanity for people that don't aporeciate or know it or arguably don't deserve it.

One of the saddest days of my adult life when I received a call in the summer of 2015 from Will's little sister, only a few weeks after his 37th birthday, telling me that he had hung himself, alone, in his flat and ended his daily struggle. He had been seeking help and support on a daily basis with his mum as he knew that not only was he a danger to himself but also a potential danger to others. Everywhere he turned, doors were closed in his face. I'm not suggesting that things would have turned out different but had he been offered the right support at the right time, then who knows.

I miss my mate, Willow, lots and lots and it's painful to think others have and will continue to be in a similar position. The system of support has to change and our heroes need to be treated like the heroes they are. Please help to raise awareness and see if we can help to save the lives of others too. Williams story is going through the legal system as the huge loss we feel and the failings of our support system have to change and it's only us that can change it by making it happen. 

Updates will be made and will hopefully be shared

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