Man who killed himself fought in Ukraine to ‘give again to society’

A younger British man instructed his mom he was going to battle in Ukraine as a result of he had ‘achieved some dangerous issues’ and wished to ‘give again to society’ earlier than coming house with PTSD and killing himself. 

Harry Gregg was 23 when he travelled to the war-torn nation after the then overseas secretary Liz Truss inspired British volunteers to enter the battle. 

He served three excursions regardless of his solely army expertise being just a few months within the Army Cadets when he was 11.

His devastated mom, Sandi Gregg, has instructed how Harry felt he was wanted and thought he might assist, regardless of his restricted expertise. 

She mentioned: ‘He instructed me, ”Mum, they want us”. He mentioned to me, ”I’ve achieved some dangerous issues, so I wish to give again to society”. 

‘Harry felt that he was wanted and that he might assist them.’ 

Harry Gregg was 23 when he travelled to Ukraine to battle towards Russia earlier than coming house and taking his personal life 

Harry served three excursions regardless of his solely army expertise being just a few months within the Army Cadets when he was 11 

Army Cadets mentioned Harry had been traumatised by trench warfare and seeing comrades die

Harry’s heartbroken mom paid an emotional tribute to her son on Facebook final week 

Ms Gregg paid a heartbreaking tribute to her son on Facebook final week, writing: ‘I miss you a lot my darling. I hope you’re at peace now. 

‘Til I see you once more. I like you to the universe n again. Love mum.’  

Harry, from Thetford, Norfolk, witnessed the violent loss of life of Ukrainian troopers and noticed atrocities dedicated towards civilians.

His mom mentioned he was ‘damaged’ when he returned however was denied psychological well being assist by the British army as he had not served with UK forces. He took his personal life on December 14, hours earlier than he was as a result of have fun his twenty fifth birthday with mates. 

Ms Gregg, 57, mentioned Harry and a fellow soldier have been being shot at within the trenches when ten minutes later his good friend was shot within the head and Harry needed to put him in a physique bag. 

‘He ended up with one in all his colleagues’ brains throughout his uniform and he needed to put him in a physique bag and drag him out of the trenches,’ she mentioned. 

‘He used to bounce by means of the door with an enormous grin on his face. When he got here again, there was a disappointment about him. He was damaged.’  

A coroner final week mentioned Harry’s precise intent that day was ‘unknown’, however his mom instructed the Mail he would nonetheless be alive if former prime minister Ms Truss had not spoken in favour of Britons becoming a member of the battle.

‘He suffered from ADHD and was very impetuous. He phoned me the day after Liz had mentioned that and instructed me ”Mum, I’m going to Ukraine,” she mentioned.

Harry had no formal army coaching aside from a spell within the Army Cadets. But he determined to fly out to assist defend the nation following its invasion by Russia in 2022 when he was 23

Harry’s mom mentioned her son ‘used to bounce by means of the door with an enormous grin on his face. When he got here again, there was a disappointment about him. He was damaged’

Harry travelled to Ukraine after the then overseas secretary Liz Truss (pictured) inspired British volunteers to enter the battle

‘He could not be talked down from it… To all intents and functions he had no army expertise in any way. Liz Truss has blood on her fingers.’ At least ten individuals from Britain have died after going to battle for Ukraine.

Five days after Vladimir Putin’s invasion in February 2022, Ms Truss mentioned in a BBC interview: ‘If individuals wish to assist that wrestle, I might assist them.’ No 10 distanced itself from her feedback, whereas fellow Conservatives mentioned it might be reckless and unlawful for Britons to grow to be concerned.

Ms Truss retracted the assertion every week later, however Ms Gregg, 57, mentioned the injury was already achieved. Her son served with the forty eighth Battalion and was nicknamed ‘Eagle’ by the opposite troopers. He noticed First World War-style trench warfare, which his mom mentioned he was ‘not geared up for’ mentally.

‘He tried to talk to the British army for assist with PTSD however they rejected him as he did not have a service quantity. You cannot simply anticipate individuals to go over and volunteer after which come again and keep it up with life.’

At Harry’s inquest in Norfolk, a coroner mentioned he had spoken to a GP about PTSD however did not attend appointments with a psychological well being employee. They mentioned he ‘died as a result of a deliberate hanging however his intent is unknown and his cognition could have been impaired by means of leisure medicine’.

Liz Truss mentioned yesterday: ‘I’m very sorry to listen to of Harry’s loss of life. My ideas are along with his family and friends.’ The Ministry of Defence and Foreign Office have been contacted for remark.

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