Soldier suffering with PTSD after Iraq War found dead a week before he was due to receive support for condition
The family of Nick Bezuidenhout are waiting for answers after the tragic event and said he had suffered badly after seeing terrible things happen to his friends while serving
A SOLDIER who fought in the Iraq War was found dead a week before he was due to get help for post-traumatic stress disorder.
Nick Bezuidenhout's body was found at the home he lived in with other veterans on September 2.
The 27-year-old, a dad-of-one, went to Iraq at 18 years old and came back traumatised after he finished his service in 2010.
His mum, Alison Davies, has been left devastated by her son's death which came a year after her husband died.
The 52-year-old from Hanford, Staffs, said: "The whole family are finding it so hard after losing Nick and we can't get our heads around it.
“This is so tragic, we can't believe it. He had been suffering very badly with PTSD as he saw quite a few things happen to his friends in Iraq.
“He wasn't coping well at all over the last couple of years, but he was about to get things sorted for himself. Nick was about to turn the corner and was really looking forward to the future.
“Nick was a very outgoing person and a loveable rogue. He was very kind-hearted and quite a practical joker. Joining the Armed Forces was something he'd always wanted to do.
“His step-dad, who spent 22 years in the Parachute Regiment, gave him the final push to join and helped him make up his mind 100 per cent."
She blames the Army for a lack of support given to him on his return and fears his death was a suicide.
She said after he saw his friend blown up in front of him while on tour and saw other friends die he developed a drinking problem.
His mum said: "He just did one tour, but he came back he was so quiet.
"He had always been the life and soul of the party, but he had real problems.
"He left the army in 2010 and was diagnosed with PTSD afterwards, but it was clear all the underlying problems he'd had stemmed from that before."
Adding: "It's a national disgrace how this country treats its soldiers.
"People who have fought for this country and seen their friends lose their lives and they are being left on the streets.
"We all know veterans are sleeping rough - these are people who would give their lives for you, and we're doing nothing for them.
"Nick had wanted to be a soldier ever since he was little, but after joining up and touring in Iraq 2005 he was not the same.
"He wasn't given any support after he left in 2010 and was diagnosed with PTSD - it It was like 'thanks for serving - bye now.'"
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Alison said he tried to harm himself twice previously, but had finally found the League of Friends, who were helping him.
She said: "They have been absolute stars and really were helping him. But I don't even know how he found them, I think it was by chance.
"There are no structures in place to help our soldiers and he found them too late.
"The government needs to do something more to help those who fought in their wars."
She claims he was refused help five times because a condition of the treatment was being sober.
The young man who was found dead at his home in Stafford had joined the Royal Artillery at 18.
He was born in South Africa and spent three months there with his grandmother in 2015.
He leaves behind his mother, brothers Clinton and Corne, four nieces and nephews and his two-year-old son Nicholas-James.
Clinton, aged 29, of Meir, Staffs, said: “Nick was an absolutely amazing person.
“He was my little brother. We have had hard times, but he was properly loved and has always been there.
“He was very proud to serve his country. This was his country and it always has been - it was part of he who he is.
“The whole family are very proud of him and can't believe he has been taken away from us. It is so hard to deal with.
“A part of us has gone and we'll never be the same again. This was a massive blow to the family."
Clinton's partner Sharleen Osborne, aged 29, said: “Nick was a comedian and a top guy. He is going to be sorely missed. He was very loving and would do anything for anyone.
“He was like the brother I never had."
The result of Nick's post-mortem examination has yet to be revealed.
A Staffordshire Police spokesman said: “We received a call at around 10.15am on September 2 reporting the discovery of Nick Bezuidenhout's body at an address on Marston Road, Stafford.
“A file has been prepared for the coroner."
The Sun Online has contacted the British Army for comment.
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