NewsBite

<b>Afghan veteran Brock Hewitt:</b> Brock Hewitt toured Afghanistan for nine months, serving with a cavalry squadron, but was medically discharged in 2012 at the age of 22. The 29-year-old young father, who had an 18-month-old son Byron, went missing on January 7, this year after his appointment with a psychologist. His parents, Jan and Rick, say he never recovered from his period of service and if more help had been available he might still be alive. Died January, 25, 2019, aged 29.
1/25Afghan veteran Brock Hewitt: Brock Hewitt toured Afghanistan for nine months, serving with a cavalry squadron, but was medically discharged in 2012 at the age of 22. The 29-year-old young father, who had an 18-month-old son Byron, went missing on January 7, this year after his appointment with a psychologist. His parents, Jan and Rick, say he never recovered from his period of service and if more help had been available he might still be alive. Died January, 25, 2019, aged 29.
<b>Petty officer David Finney:</b> He enlisted as an 18-year-old, spent 20 years deployed around the world, rescuing refugees and helping war-torn communities in Bougainville, East Timor and the Middle East. Last October, he was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and begged for help. He was told he would have to wait until April to see a psychiatrist.  Died on February, 1, 2019 aged 38.
2/25Petty officer David Finney: He enlisted as an 18-year-old, spent 20 years deployed around the world, rescuing refugees and helping war-torn communities in Bougainville, East Timor and the Middle East. Last October, he was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and begged for help. He was told he would have to wait until April to see a psychiatrist.  Died on February, 1, 2019 aged 38.
<b>Private Bradley Wayne Carr:</b> Born on Remembrance day November 11, 1984 and died on Anzac Day. Private Bradley Carr, 34, went back and forth with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs for six years, after his discharge in 2012. After joining the army in 2007, Mr Carr was deployed to Afghanistan two years after and left the army in 2012. He endured years of physical pain after being prescribed pain killers to mask the various injuries he had acquired during his service in the army. Died on April, 25, 2019, aged 34.
3/25Private Bradley Wayne Carr: Born on Remembrance day November 11, 1984 and died on Anzac Day. Private Bradley Carr, 34, went back and forth with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs for six years, after his discharge in 2012. After joining the army in 2007, Mr Carr was deployed to Afghanistan two years after and left the army in 2012. He endured years of physical pain after being prescribed pain killers to mask the various injuries he had acquired during his service in the army. Died on April, 25, 2019, aged 34.
<b>Private Daniel Garforth:</b> He had a daughter Riliee, 7, and his mum Nikki Jamieson says her son might still be alive if the Defence Force had acted on his pleas. After months of bullying and being “charged with silly things” including “not having his shoes polished properly”, the young father began pleading to his mum to get him out of there. The final straw came when Mr Garforth was on guard duty and he received a call from a friend of a suicidal soldier, warning him of her state of mind. The next morning Daniel found her dead. Died on November, 21, 2014, aged 21.
4/25Private Daniel Garforth: He had a daughter Riliee, 7, and his mum Nikki Jamieson says her son might still be alive if the Defence Force had acted on his pleas. After months of bullying and being “charged with silly things” including “not having his shoes polished properly”, the young father began pleading to his mum to get him out of there. The final straw came when Mr Garforth was on guard duty and he received a call from a friend of a suicidal soldier, warning him of her state of mind. The next morning Daniel found her dead. Died on November, 21, 2014, aged 21.
<b>Private Michael Powers:</b> Colleen Pillen said her son Michael Powers, 29, battled with anxiety and depression and had pleaded for help. He took his life six months after he was discharged from the army and says he was severely bullied and “rejected on every corner” when he tried to get psychological help. In 2014, the 25-year-old joined the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment in Townsville as a private and was due to be deployed to Iraq in 2017. But his chances of deployment was cut short after he reported feeling unwell and was admitted to hospital for nearly two months. Died October, 29 2017
5/25Private Michael Powers: Colleen Pillen said her son Michael Powers, 29, battled with anxiety and depression and had pleaded for help. He took his life six months after he was discharged from the army and says he was severely bullied and “rejected on every corner” when he tried to get psychological help. In 2014, the 25-year-old joined the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment in Townsville as a private and was due to be deployed to Iraq in 2017. But his chances of deployment was cut short after he reported feeling unwell and was admitted to hospital for nearly two months. Died October, 29 2017
<b>Navy officer Scott Williams:</b> He served more than a decade in the Navy, but the final years of Scott Williams’ life were spent in the back of an office shoved away and made to feel like “garbage”. The Sydney father struggled to return to normal life after serving in East Timor, Solomon Islands, and the Gulf. Severe bullying by senior officials and the “lack of skills” given to veterans after leaving service pushed the 35-year-old to breaking point. After trying to hold down a job for five years, Scott’s mother said he became “agitated” in the lead up to his death and felt as though he was “tossed like garbage” by the Navy. Died on September, 7, 2015, aged 35.
6/25Navy officer Scott Williams: He served more than a decade in the Navy, but the final years of Scott Williams’ life were spent in the back of an office shoved away and made to feel like “garbage”. The Sydney father struggled to return to normal life after serving in East Timor, Solomon Islands, and the Gulf. Severe bullying by senior officials and the “lack of skills” given to veterans after leaving service pushed the 35-year-old to breaking point. After trying to hold down a job for five years, Scott’s mother said he became “agitated” in the lead up to his death and felt as though he was “tossed like garbage” by the Navy. Died on September, 7, 2015, aged 35.
<b>Air Force sharpshooter Andrew Perry:</b> Andrew “Mung” Perry, an Air Force sharpshooter who had spent eight months in Afghanistan watching the backs of other Australian troops. He had 82 troops under his direct command and was a team sniper. In Afghanistan, he had become obsessed with the fear of losing a soldier under his protection. The heightened state of alert stayed with him when he came home and he had been unable to unwind.  He tried eight times to kill himself after he returned, with some incidents requiring police tactical response teams. Died December, 17, 2015, aged 47.
7/25Air Force sharpshooter Andrew Perry: Andrew “Mung” Perry, an Air Force sharpshooter who had spent eight months in Afghanistan watching the backs of other Australian troops. He had 82 troops under his direct command and was a team sniper. In Afghanistan, he had become obsessed with the fear of losing a soldier under his protection. The heightened state of alert stayed with him when he came home and he had been unable to unwind.  He tried eight times to kill himself after he returned, with some incidents requiring police tactical response teams. Died December, 17, 2015, aged 47.
<b>Royal Australian Navy Lieutenant Lenny Fay:</b> Navy Lieutenant Lenny Fay is the face of a second phase of tragedy borne out of the asylum seeker drownings off Northern Australia. He could never have imagined he would be confronted with dead adults and frail children when he signed up to serve in the Navy. His family said he was let down and neglected in his hour of need and that five of his fellow Navy veterans have also taken their lives. Died May, 27, 2019, aged 36.
8/25Royal Australian Navy Lieutenant Lenny Fay: Navy Lieutenant Lenny Fay is the face of a second phase of tragedy borne out of the asylum seeker drownings off Northern Australia. He could never have imagined he would be confronted with dead adults and frail children when he signed up to serve in the Navy. His family said he was let down and neglected in his hour of need and that five of his fellow Navy veterans have also taken their lives. Died May, 27, 2019, aged 36.
<b>Afghan veteran Ashley Meek:</b> Enlisted in the Australian Regular Army in August 2003. Posted to 5th/7th Battalion, The Royal Australia Regiment. Deployed to Iraq and East Timor. Left the Regular Army in 2009 and joined 10th/27th Battalion, where he was promoted to Corporal. Later joined the South Australian police working in many rural areas, while still attending all major exercises on the weekend to the Battalion. Promoted to Sergeant in 2014 and again deployed, this time on Operation RESOLUTE on a continuous full time service contract.  Died March 5, 2017, aged 29.
9/25Afghan veteran Ashley Meek: Enlisted in the Australian Regular Army in August 2003. Posted to 5th/7th Battalion, The Royal Australia Regiment. Deployed to Iraq and East Timor. Left the Regular Army in 2009 and joined 10th/27th Battalion, where he was promoted to Corporal. Later joined the South Australian police working in many rural areas, while still attending all major exercises on the weekend to the Battalion. Promoted to Sergeant in 2014 and again deployed, this time on Operation RESOLUTE on a continuous full time service contract.  Died March 5, 2017, aged 29.
<b>Sapper Luke Bray:</b> Was a combat engineer in the 21 construction squad in the Australian army and was suffering from PTSD. Mr Bray had served in the Army, including time in Afghanistan, before returning to his home city and settling in Brunswick, Melbourne. Died on April, 2, 2018 aged 30.
10/25Sapper Luke Bray: Was a combat engineer in the 21 construction squad in the Australian army and was suffering from PTSD. Mr Bray had served in the Army, including time in Afghanistan, before returning to his home city and settling in Brunswick, Melbourne. Died on April, 2, 2018 aged 30.
<b>Sergeant Ian Turner:</b> He enlisted in the Australian Army in 2000 and his first posting was to 2nd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (RAR) in Townsville as a Rifleman.  In 2003 he decided to pursue his ambition and completed his Commando selection and Reinforcement cycle, and was then posted to 4th Battalion RAR (Commando), now known as 2nd Commando Regiment. Less than a fortnight after the death of Private Jesse Bird ,Sergeant Ian Turner died. Died on July, 15, 2017.
11/25Sergeant Ian Turner: He enlisted in the Australian Army in 2000 and his first posting was to 2nd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (RAR) in Townsville as a Rifleman.  In 2003 he decided to pursue his ambition and completed his Commando selection and Reinforcement cycle, and was then posted to 4th Battalion RAR (Commando), now known as 2nd Commando Regiment. Less than a fortnight after the death of Private Jesse Bird ,Sergeant Ian Turner died. Died on July, 15, 2017.
<b>Veteran Jamie Cassidy:</b> Served in the army and was deployed to East Timor in 1999. Father-of-seven Jamie Cassidy hid a secret that consumed him for a decade after his medical discharge from the Australian Army and finally claimed his life. Jamie collapsed on July 24 but was sent home from the hospital after telling doctors he would be ok and had support available. Early next morning he was found dead at the family’s property outside Rockhampton. Died on July, 25, 2015, aged 44.
12/25Veteran Jamie Cassidy: Served in the army and was deployed to East Timor in 1999. Father-of-seven Jamie Cassidy hid a secret that consumed him for a decade after his medical discharge from the Australian Army and finally claimed his life. Jamie collapsed on July 24 but was sent home from the hospital after telling doctors he would be ok and had support available. Early next morning he was found dead at the family’s property outside Rockhampton. Died on July, 25, 2015, aged 44.
<b>Sergeant John Ashby:</b> The wife of Sergeant John Ashby, Lauren, said the military let her husband down because of its lack of support for his PTSD.  He was deployed to East Timor in 1999, Iraq 2007 and Afghanistan 2009.  When he was discharged, the breadth of his service meant he fell across three complicated DVA entitlement Acts. Died October, 1, 2014, aged 44
13/25Sergeant John Ashby: The wife of Sergeant John Ashby, Lauren, said the military let her husband down because of its lack of support for his PTSD.  He was deployed to East Timor in 1999, Iraq 2007 and Afghanistan 2009.  When he was discharged, the breadth of his service meant he fell across three complicated DVA entitlement Acts. Died October, 1, 2014, aged 44
<b>Private Shayne Williams:</b> Shayne Williams grew up in Melbourne and lived in Craigieburn when he died. He was in the army and trained for deployment, but was diverted to Operation RESOLUTE instead of going with his unit to Afghanistan.  He felt discarded by the army and tricked into missing Afghanistan deployment, instead of doing border patrol. He spoke of lifting bodies from the sea during the asylum seeker crisis. Died on August, 30, 2014, aged 27.
14/25Private Shayne Williams: Shayne Williams grew up in Melbourne and lived in Craigieburn when he died. He was in the army and trained for deployment, but was diverted to Operation RESOLUTE instead of going with his unit to Afghanistan.  He felt discarded by the army and tricked into missing Afghanistan deployment, instead of doing border patrol. He spoke of lifting bodies from the sea during the asylum seeker crisis. Died on August, 30, 2014, aged 27.
<b>Navy sailor Steven Best:</b> Steven joined the Royal Australian Navy sailor at the age of 19. He married at the age of 21 and had a three-year-old son called Luke. He was based in Cairns and struggling with depression. His father is also a veteran and served in the Vietnam War, and also battled with PTSD. Died on February, 11, 1993, aged 23.
15/25Navy sailor Steven Best: Steven joined the Royal Australian Navy sailor at the age of 19. He married at the age of 21 and had a three-year-old son called Luke. He was based in Cairns and struggling with depression. His father is also a veteran and served in the Vietnam War, and also battled with PTSD. Died on February, 11, 1993, aged 23.
<b>Royal Air Force engineer James Fernandez de Viana:</b> Royal Air Force engineer James, 26, who joined in 2017, took his own life while still serving, after his mental health deteriorated. His mother Patricia said her son also endured months of pain on his face and was prescribed repeated doses of antibiotics after a skin rash got infected.  The doses of medication, along with his job, poor nutrition and a recent breakdown in his relationship made him depressingly low. The West Australian mother questioned how “someone in the care of the Defence Force” could get to such a low point. Died on July, 25, 2019, aged 26
16/25Royal Air Force engineer James Fernandez de Viana: Royal Air Force engineer James, 26, who joined in 2017, took his own life while still serving, after his mental health deteriorated. His mother Patricia said her son also endured months of pain on his face and was prescribed repeated doses of antibiotics after a skin rash got infected.  The doses of medication, along with his job, poor nutrition and a recent breakdown in his relationship made him depressingly low. The West Australian mother questioned how “someone in the care of the Defence Force” could get to such a low point. Died on July, 25, 2019, aged 26
<b>Soldier Shaun Jenkins:</b> He served in the army and deployed to Afghanistan for seven months in 2014. Shaun was in Afghanistan driving a Bushmaster. A road collapsed and he plummeted 50 m down a cliff with other soldiers inside. When he returned to Australia, his mother, Sue, said he would lie in bed at night reliving the accident. He blamed himself for his mates’ injuries.  In 2015, he was diagnosed with PTSD. He was still serving at the time of his death. Died on January, 31, 2016, aged 24.
17/25Soldier Shaun Jenkins: He served in the army and deployed to Afghanistan for seven months in 2014. Shaun was in Afghanistan driving a Bushmaster. A road collapsed and he plummeted 50 m down a cliff with other soldiers inside. When he returned to Australia, his mother, Sue, said he would lie in bed at night reliving the accident. He blamed himself for his mates’ injuries.  In 2015, he was diagnosed with PTSD. He was still serving at the time of his death. Died on January, 31, 2016, aged 24.
<b>Warrant officer Bruce Rademaker:</b> Bruce grew up and lived in Victoria and served in the 1st Armoured Regiment, in Australia.  The father-of-three battled depression which was attributed to his 24 years of service with the Australian Army. Died on December, 15, 2015, aged 57.
18/25Warrant officer Bruce Rademaker: Bruce grew up and lived in Victoria and served in the 1st Armoured Regiment, in Australia.  The father-of-three battled depression which was attributed to his 24 years of service with the Australian Army. Died on December, 15, 2015, aged 57.
<b>Veteran Sean Williams:</b> Sean grew up in Brisbane and lived in Richmond, NSW, when he died. He was based at Randwick Barracks and deployed to the Balkans, East Timor, Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan twice. Died on January, 1, 2016, aged 42.
19/25Veteran Sean Williams: Sean grew up in Brisbane and lived in Richmond, NSW, when he died. He was based at Randwick Barracks and deployed to the Balkans, East Timor, Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan twice. Died on January, 1, 2016, aged 42.
<b>Royal Australian Navy Petty Officer Dan Herps:</b> Royal Australian Navy Petty Officer Dan Herps saw babies lost at sea during his stint on border patrol in the oceans off Christmas Island as well as other harrowing situations during his multiple deployments to the Middle East. He was suffering from post traumatic stress disorder after almost 20 years of service. Died on January, 19, 2014, aged 38.
20/25Royal Australian Navy Petty Officer Dan Herps: Royal Australian Navy Petty Officer Dan Herps saw babies lost at sea during his stint on border patrol in the oceans off Christmas Island as well as other harrowing situations during his multiple deployments to the Middle East. He was suffering from post traumatic stress disorder after almost 20 years of service. Died on January, 19, 2014, aged 38.
<b>Corporal Jarrad Brown:</b> Iraq and Afghanistan veteran, he battled with PTSD and had pleaded for help but his calls fell on deaf ears. In July 2010, Jarrad was a pallbearer for his mate, Private Nathan Bewes who was killed by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan. When he left the army Jarrad was working fly-in fly-out for a mining company in Port Hedland, WA before returning to Queensland on weeks off. Died December, 5, 2015, aged 27.
21/25Corporal Jarrad Brown: Iraq and Afghanistan veteran, he battled with PTSD and had pleaded for help but his calls fell on deaf ears. In July 2010, Jarrad was a pallbearer for his mate, Private Nathan Bewes who was killed by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan. When he left the army Jarrad was working fly-in fly-out for a mining company in Port Hedland, WA before returning to Queensland on weeks off. Died December, 5, 2015, aged 27.
<b>Duncan “Jude”Garland:</b> He had completed several tours to Afghanistan with 2nd Commando Regiment and retired from the Army early 2017.  He moved to Hervey Bay in Queensland with his wife. Died March, 19, 2018, aged 37.
22/25Duncan “Jude”Garland: He had completed several tours to Afghanistan with 2nd Commando Regiment and retired from the Army early 2017.  He moved to Hervey Bay in Queensland with his wife. Died March, 19, 2018, aged 37.
<b>Able Seaman Luke Holbrook:</b> Born and raised in Perth, Luke Holbrook was deployed twice to the Persian Gulf and served in border patrol out of Darwin. Counter terrorism and anti-piracy roles in the Persian Gulf required Luke to be part of boarding parties. He described to his parents having to drop to unknown vessels from a chopper in rolling seas and in the pitch black. He left the navy and suffered depression, insomnia and was losing weight. Died January 31, 2016, aged 28.
23/25Able Seaman Luke Holbrook: Born and raised in Perth, Luke Holbrook was deployed twice to the Persian Gulf and served in border patrol out of Darwin. Counter terrorism and anti-piracy roles in the Persian Gulf required Luke to be part of boarding parties. He described to his parents having to drop to unknown vessels from a chopper in rolling seas and in the pitch black. He left the navy and suffered depression, insomnia and was losing weight. Died January 31, 2016, aged 28.
<b>Army veteran Adrian Wells:</b> Afghanistan and Iraq veteran Adrian Wells took his own life in August after the Department of Veterans Affairs rejected his appeal for help.  Mr Wells, 33, did several overseas tours before he was medically discharged in 2013. His sister-in-law Kaylene Wells said he had sought help for mental and physical injuries from his service.  “Adrian put away his medals and was like he wasn’t proud. Why would he be proud when they didn’t help?” Died August 1, 2019, aged 33.
24/25Army veteran Adrian Wells: Afghanistan and Iraq veteran Adrian Wells took his own life in August after the Department of Veterans Affairs rejected his appeal for help.  Mr Wells, 33, did several overseas tours before he was medically discharged in 2013. His sister-in-law Kaylene Wells said he had sought help for mental and physical injuries from his service.  “Adrian put away his medals and was like he wasn’t proud. Why would he be proud when they didn’t help?” Died August 1, 2019, aged 33.
<b>Afghan veteran Jesse Bird:</b> Afghan veteran Jesse Bird, 32, killed himself in 2017 surrounded by paperwork from the DVA that rejected a claim for permanent impairment he had been fighting for two years. He had warned the department he was suicidal and under severe financial stress. Mr Bird tried to get the Department of Veterans Affairs to recognise his PTSD and other conditions, but it was a recent rejection letter for permanent impairment compensation that was the final straw. Died June, 27, 2017, aged 32.
25/25Afghan veteran Jesse Bird: Afghan veteran Jesse Bird, 32, killed himself in 2017 surrounded by paperwork from the DVA that rejected a claim for permanent impairment he had been fighting for two years. He had warned the department he was suicidal and under severe financial stress. Mr Bird tried to get the Department of Veterans Affairs to recognise his PTSD and other conditions, but it was a recent rejection letter for permanent impairment compensation that was the final straw. Died June, 27, 2017, aged 32.
More related stories
‘Haunting history of my vintage FJ Holden ute’

‘Haunting history of my vintage FJ Holden ute’

When Sunday Telegraph picture editor Jeff Darmanin bought a 1955 Holden FJ ute to restore, he was shocked to discover a teen boy had been shot dead in the vehicle in 1965. The ute was then buried deep in a Gundagai barn for decades before being resold.

Read more

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/photos/faces-of-the-forgotten/image-gallery/07fc63e4d409626b5fcc3327757fecd4