Homeless ex-soldier, 82, dies hours after being evicted from squat in Manchester
 

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co....-dies-10458191

When you sign up and join the armed services, you are taking the oath, and putting your life on the line and make the ultimate sacrifice.

But when you leave the armed services, either by medical grounds or your time of service is over.

You should be able to get top quality service for the part you played for your country and look after, and not left to rot.

I always remember when l was a special constable for 16 years. I was asked to take part in the Cenotaph parade on Remembrance Sunday. It was a freezing cold day. And had to be in London at 7.30am and stood beside proud veterans and there medals.

We were freezing and yet, the veterans were offering us tea and coffee and telling us there stories. It was a day that l will never forget.

We should look after these guys. not let them survive in extreme poverty.

I look at it this way. If it wasn't for our granddads, and fathers. WE would not be here today

Re: Homeless ex-soldier, 82, dies hours after being evicted from squat in Manchester
 

How likely is it the the pneumonia developed that quickly and wasn't there before leaving the squat?

One thing getting priority when leaving the armed forces, but that shouldn't continue indefinitely.

Being homeless for more than 20 years sounds like a choice.

Re: Homeless ex-soldier, 82, dies hours after being evicted from squat in Manchester
 

One homeless guy I helped out a while ago told me he never felt safe in what few hostels were able to offer shelter because theft and violence was rife in them. I think for a lot of those who sleep rough it's a combination of choice (albeit made for reasons like that) and habit.

Re: Homeless ex-soldier, 82, dies hours after being evicted from squat in Manchester
 

You can't dump all responsibility on the MOD.. for gawd sake his service probably ended 60+ years ago, what's he done since then? Has he had jobs, a pension, his own family..

If the MOD was made responsible for all ex service persons (that would include myself) then the MOD would have been bankrupt a long time ago (probably just after WW2)

Yes I feel sorry for this guy but there are hostels, there is pensions/benefits, there are charities all of which could have helped this guy and he then wouldn't have been living rough.

A friend (ex service as well) found himself on the street a few years ago and was astounded as the amount of help available if you accepted it.. It took him a few days to get a bed in a hostel whilst benefits were sorted and then onto a place of his own.

Yet another MEN fluff piece trying to pull at our heart strings whist attacking part of the government to try to sell papers :(