"Highly Recommended"
SOLDIER, the official magazine of the British Army.
"Thought provoking and gripping. The battle within is a excellent read"
Matt Johnson, Best selling author of Wicked Game.
Foreword by Lieutenant-General Johnathon Riley CB DSO. General Officer Commanding British Forces Iraq 2004.
The battle within takes readers on a journey through the limits of physical and emotional endurance.
"Neil, you've experienced more emotional stress in the space of two years than the average person would over the course of a lifetime. The very fact you can still function is testiment to your strength of character" came the words from the doctor.
Synopsis.
From Neil's early Days as a bullied and troubled child, to the day he joined the British Army as a combat infantryman and the traumatic events that followed.
Newly recruited into the Royal Welch Fusiliers and serving as a member of the mortar platoon. Life came both fast and exciting. Neil took part in the national fire strikes, trained as a combat team medic, deployed to Canada for 3 months and also undertook a parachuting course. However things were soon to change.
Deployed to southern Iraq in 2004 on a 6 month tour. April 21st will be a day never forgotten. Neil was just 3 weeks into his deployment when he was wounded in one of the worst suicide bomb attacks the British had faced during the Iraq campaign. 5 suicide car bombs ripped through Basra leaving over 60 dead, including many young schoolchildren.
Medically evacuated back to the UK for treatment. Neil soon discovered that his real problems had only just begun. Lost in the military system with little to no support. Neil was then hit with the loss of his mother to incurable cancer. The death of his grandfather and the breakdown of his marriage.
Neil falls deep into a dark hole of depression. A hole full of alcohol abuse and violent mood swings. Neil bounces back to not only start a family, but also set about raising thousands for military charities by undertaking a number of tough solo physical endurance events that would test the stamina of even the fittest of individuals.
This is the inspiring true story of overcoming adversity against odds.
About the author.
Neil served as a member of the Royal Welch Fusiliers from 2002-2006. Medically discharged with a exemplary service record. He spends his spare time time raising awareness into mental illness and has visited British soldiers in the UK prison system. He is married with two young children and lives in Newport, South Wales.
You can contact the author by the following platforms.
Email: Neilspen31@gmail.com
Twitter: @ThebattleWithi3
Facebook: The battle within, a soldier's story
