I was born in Nuneaton in 1973, at the age of 16 I left school and enlisted in the Junior Leaders Reguiment Royal Artillery.  After a years basic training I was posted to 39 Heavy Regiment Royal Artiller in what was then West Germany. After only a few months, during which time I witnessed the reunification of Germany, our unit was posted to Saudi Arabia to take part in the liberation of Kuwait in "Operation Desert Storm". The year was 1991, and I was still only 17. The destruction and devastation I witnessed left a big impression, and on my return from the war I became disillusioned with the Army and the wests non-involvement with other "just" wars such as Yugoslavia and Rwanda. 

In 1992 I eventually went Absent Without Leave and joined the Croat/Bosnian Army fighting against the Serb Invasion. After only a short time I was severly injured by a Serb mortar which resulted in my right leg being amputated. I was arrested, flown to the UK and court martialled. I was finally discharged from the army in 1994. Civilian life was difficult especially with PTSD and a new found disability, and I eventually (like many ex-soldiers) ended up in prison.  It took me a long time to get my life together; but by using art and writing as well as being married in 2004 and my children being born from 2005 onwards, I managed. I wrote my book (left) in 2007 and it was published in 2010, I also returned to Croatia in 2007 for a veterans reunion, and I am active in the veterans organisation.

 I still live in Nuneaton with my wife and four children, I am currently doing an International Studies Degree as well as writing, painting and political blogging. I don't regret what I have done, in fact one of my favourite quotes is; "All that is required for evil to triumph, is for good men to do nothing" - I like to think I did something, however small.