Battle goes on for some brave boys

THE sharp smell of petrol will always trigger terrifying memories of war for one Scottish ex-soldier.

A simple visit to a garage is enough to leave the 53-year-old veteran shivering in a cold sweat, fighting back tears, as the images of untold war zone horrors come flooding back.

Married Chris - who doesn't want his second name published for security reasons - was among the first British soldiers to come across the bodies of Iraqis killed on the now infamous road to Basra in the first Gulf war in 1991.

Thousands of Iraqi troops perished in a massive US bombardment on the so-called Highway of Death, providing some of the most shocking images of the brutal conflict.

The dad-of-one said: "There were burnt out vehicles lying all along the road, charred bodies inside and everywhere the smell of fuel and burning flesh.

"It's 18 years ago now, but what I saw that day will never go away. Even now when I'm in the car and smell petrol I get panic attacks."

At the time Chris took what he went through in his stride, getting on with the job. But on his return to Britain his horrifying experiences came flooding back to haunt him.

He said: "To the outside world I appeared laid-back and jovial. I was happily married, had a lovely daughter, a nice house and a good job. But I began to have nightmares and suffered from flashbacks.

"I would remember the faces of petrified prisoners of war we had taken - one in particular no more than a boy.

"I started crying and couldn't control myself. I didn't talk to anyone. I felt no one would understand, so I drank heavily to try to forget about it."

Glaswegian Chris left the Army after 22 years' service in 1996 and was finally diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder in 2004.

Shortly after his diagnosis he was sent to Hollybush House, a specialist psychiatric treatment centre run in Ayrshire by charity Combat Stress. Thanks to their help, Chris can now cope with his demons.

Ex-SAS commander Colonel Sir Clive Fairweather, Combat Stress's chief fundraiser, said: "We have a large number of people who've seen comrades blown up and they've had to pick up the pieces.

"Nothing prepares you for the horrors of war, no matter what the training."

Chris added: "I'd have topped myself if it wasn't for Hollybush House. I got to a point where I didn't want to live, but here you realise you're not alone."

FOR information on Combat Stress phone 01292 561300.

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