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Foreword by Sir Charles Huxtable KCB CBE
Preface
Acknowledgements
Introduction
1 ‘Shot at Dawn’
2 The Early Activities of Ex-Service
Charitable Organisations
3 The Second World War: Casualties of Dunkirk,
North Africa and Italy
4 The Second World War: Casualties of
the Far East and of Europe
5 Demobilisation, Resettlement and
the Military Hospitals
6 Other Conflicts: Korea, Cyprus, Malaya, Aden
7 Help is Available – but is it enough?
8 More Recent Conflicts: Post-Traumatic
Stress Disorder and Civilian Tragedies
9 Treatment of the Mentally Disabled
10 A Wide Range of Cases
11 What Can and Cannot be Done
for the Mentally Disabled Ex-Serviceman
12 The Lighter Side of the Work
13 Bringing the Story up to Date
Select Bibliography
Appendix A: Military and other Terms and Abbreviations
Appendix B: Medical Terms and
Abbreviations
Appendix C: Useful Addresses – Where
to go for Help
Index
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“A comprehensive, carefully researched
and invaluable source of information on this important aspect
of psychology and the conduct of military operations . . .”
Rt Hon Paddy Ashdown MP
“Should bury, once and for all, any
lingering doubts about the existence of battle stress. It
brings home starkly what is perhaps not generally appreciated,
that thousands of veterans, suffering varying degrees of distress
as a result of service to their country, need continuing help
. . . A list of useful contact addresses runs to 16 pages
and there are indispensable glossaries of medical and military
terminology . . .” Soldier Magazine
“Given its comprehensive nature and
easy-to-read style we have no hesitation in recommending it.”
Scottish Legion News
“The human being is a complex individual. Over the centuries
it has always been recognised that soldiers, sailors and later,
airmen, could be physically wounded or even killed in the
line of duty. What has not been recognised until comparatively
recently however is that the stress of combat could also mentally
affect the serviceman resulting in a variety of different
conditions, sometimes fatal. This is the second edition of
a book first published in 1999 and now fully updated to include
Afghanistan and Iraq. The author, Roy Brook, was an officer
in the British Army who, after retirement became a welfare
officer with one of the national ex-services charities. He
can thus speak from a very knowledgeable viewpoint about the
subject of this work.
… Starting in detail from the First World War, when
the results of stress tended to result in the firing squad,
the author takes the reader through the Second World War and
all the post-war campaigns to bring us completely up to date
with Iraq and Afghanistan. As well as summarising what each
conflict was about Major Brook gives us examples of individuals
who have been severely mentally affected by the stress of
combat. A description is given of what probably caused the
problem, what resulted from this and then how the person has
been helped. The work of the different help organisations
is described, both government and non-government.
… The aim of the work is to bring the problem of combat
stress to the notice of the general public, Service and ex-Service
organisations and the caring professions. The persons affected
have served their country well and they are seriously in need
of both financial and social support. As the author says,
if no one knows, no one can care and no one can help.”
Reviewed by Peter Curwen, Cambridge District, www.oddfellows.co.uk
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