Grieving partner calls for commission against veteran suicide
Like many veterans, Bradley Carr’s war did not stop after Afghanistan. His partner Ashleigh Boileau vowed to fight on against veteran suicide.
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BRADLEY Carr’s war didn’t end after Afghanistan.
His fight against PTSD and depression came to an end in a Gold Coast hotel on Anzac Day but his partner Ashleigh Boileau has taken up the torch.
She is supporting Julie-Ann Finney’s campaign for a Royal Commission into veteran suicide.
“We don’t want anyone else to go through that, it was crushing to watch,” Ms Boileau said.
Bradley Carr came home from Afghanistan in 2008 and was medically discharged from the 1st Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment in 2012.
“It didn’t take very long for them to realise something wasn’t right,” Ms Boileau said,
“The battalion was all he had, he knew no other life.
“His career was taken away from him, he was used as a guinea pig for medications.”
Despite his own trauma, Bradley advocated for PTSD sufferers.
“He was actively seeking help; he was an amazing person,” Ms Boileau said.
“He would give you the shirt from his back.”
READ MORE: HOW INNISFAIL MARKED REMEMBRANCE DAY
Bradley moved south to find the help that the Department of Veterans Affairs would not, or could not give him.
“Everyday was getting harder,” Ms Boileau said.
“He was homeless looking for help; I can't really comment about DVA right now, there is still too much pain.”
She attended the Remembrance Day commemoration at the Cairns cenotaph wearing a yellow campaign ribbon to raise awareness of Ms Finney’s petition on change.org.
Cairns RSL Sub Branch President Kristen Rice said the number of people at the service was “fantastic”.
“We had all sorts of people – from RAAF, navy or from the army – in addition from the local cadets, school communities and the general public,” she said.
“It is great to see the turnout to the commemorations by the veterans, associations and the wider community.
“We’re very grateful.”
Ms Rice has seen a steady growth of people attending Remembrance Day services, spurred on by last year’s 100-year anniversary of the Armistice.
“That definitely made it more prominent in the community’s mind,” she said.
“Thankfully, they haven’t forgotten that and they’ve turned up again today – so we’re really grateful.”
She was equally thrilled with the number of young people and younger veterans who attended.
“It is important to involve the younger members while not forgetting the older members of veterans,” Ms Rice said.
Students from schools across Cairns laid down wreaths at the cenotaph.
Originally published as Grieving partner calls for commission against veteran suicide