![]() He received a Mention in Dispatches (MiD) after continuing to fire his machine gun in Sangin, Helmand Province, even after he had been shot in the head. Trooper Alex Tostevin, 28, who was decorated for bravery after saving the lives of British troops in battle against the Taliban, is feared to have killed himself at a top secret base in the UK. Trooper Alex Tostevin, 28, who was decorated for bravery after saving the lives of British troops in battle against the Taliban, is feared to have killed himself at a top secret base in the UKĪ special Forces hero who was honoured for his remarkable courage in Afghanistan is believed to have committed suicide, The Mail on Sunday can reveal. The spike in suicides has also led to Prince Harry expressing concerns about veterans' welfare. Since its February launch it has received 570 calls – more than ten times the number predicted by defence chiefs who tried to block its introduction. The Facebook block comes after this newspaper revealed that veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are taking their own lives at a faster rate than their comrades died on the battlefield.Įarlier this year The MoS campaigned successfully for the Ministry of Defence to launch a 24/7 mental health helpline for serving troops. They said the standards 'set out limits for acceptable behaviour and content', but did not explain exactly how FYB UK did not comply. Last night a Facebook spokesperson said: 'The page Fill Your Boots UK was deleted because its content violates our Community Standards.' It is vital to get the page up and running.' 'This ban leaves these messages unanswered. It mainly deals with guys that suffer from major PTSD from conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. On Monday Mr Usher told Facebook: 'The page is a lifeline for so many. Obviously talking about it means I'm not going to run off and top myself!' 'I have lost everyone and struggling, feeling suicidal. That evening, however, Mr Usher realised his access to FYB UK had been blocked, which meant he could not reply to messages.įresh cries for help from other ex-troops went unanswered, including the request: 'Hi Alfie, looking for help, I'm a vet with PTSD. This message received more than 50 likes and 18 shares on Facebook. I'm done with feeling bad mate, I want out, I can't deal with this.'Īt the veteran's request Mr Usher posted a public message asking followers to meet the desperate man. Last Sunday a distressed soldier wrote to FYB UK saying he could no longer cope with feeling responsible for the deaths of two comrades in Afghanistan. I don't think they realise the consequences this could have.' 'I tried explaining this to Facebook but they just ignored me. 'They'd rather talk to people they meet on FYB UK who have probably experienced the same thing. It is very hard for them to discuss issues relating to their experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan with their families. Guys use the page to express feelings which are really troubling them. ![]() Last night Mr Usher, 30, said: 'Facebook's actions have put soldiers' lives at risk. He told moderators in a series of phone calls and emails that the page provided a lifeline for troops with mental and emotional disorders, but they still refused to unblock it. Mr Usher believes the conversation might have triggered an automatic block on the page. Stock imageīut last week the page was dramatically shut down without warning after an exchange of messages between Mr Usher and a former soldier who threatened to kill himself in reaction to the deaths of two of his soldiers who were blown up by Taliban bombs in Afghanistan. Soldiers suffering from combat induced traumas after serving in Iraq and Afghanistan would post 'cries for help' on the page on an almost daily basis according to its founder, ex-paratrooper Alfie Usher.
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