Saturday, 28 Dec 2024

Soldier kills himself after going to the funerals of nine friends

A young father-of-two took his own life following a long battle with post traumatic stress disorder he got while serving in the Iraq war.

Army veteran Lance Shingler, 34, had to attend the funerals of nine friends who died during the conflict and fought PTSD for more than a decade after returning home from the army in 2008.

Leanne Poole, a close family friend, paid tribute to him on behalf of his wife Hayley, 32 and children Riley, eight, and Elliey-Jaye, six.

She told BirminghamLive: ‘Lance was just an unbelievably kind man. He would do anything for anyone. He adored his wife Hayley and his two young children. Whenever he got free time he spent it with them making memories.

‘He loved taking his family on holidays and their favourite place to go as a family was Brean. He was always walking up Brean Down with the kids and loved little random road trips to the seaside. He was also a huge Birmingham City fan and loved to go and watch them.’

She said Lance’s death came as ‘a huge shock’ to his family and friends despite his PTSD. He was found collapsed at home in Shard End, Birmingham, on February 12 and was rushed to hospital but died a short time later.

Lance served in Iraq between 2003 and 2008 with the Fourth Battalion The Rifles. While there, nine friends died in the conflict and Lance attended the funeral of each of them.

Leanna said: ‘When he left the army he found it hard to cope at times and he didn’t receive the support he should have from various groups and orgainisations. An inquest will be held but the family do feel he was let down.

‘We will be highlighting the struggles of ex-military and the lack of support for PTSD so Lance’s death isn’t in vain. So much more needs to be done for ex-servicemen because at the moment not enough is being done.’

She has set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for Lance’s funeral, where she wrote: ‘We have suddenly lost a great man in Lance Shingler who died suddenly yesterday after a long battle with PTSD he sadly took his own life.

‘He leaves behind his beautiful kids and rock Hayley. Anyone who was lucky enough to know Lance will know he was always there for people in their time of need, so it feels only right to repay his kindness and thoughtfulness.’

To donate, visit the GoFundMe page here.

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