Swindon to pay tribute on Armistice Day

Swindon will commemorate members of the armed forces past and present at this year's Armistice Day Service.

The service takes place in Regent Circus at 11am, hosted by the Mayor of Swindon.

This year will mark 107 years since the end of the first World War and 80 years since the end of the second.

There are many former members of the armed forces who struggle to this day, dealing with PTSD and health issues from making the ultimate sacrifice for the country.

Swindon's service pays tributes to all of those that have fought for those they love.

Former Army veteran, Jo Hursey spoke about her issues with PTSD since coming to the end of her 20-plus year career.

She said: "I had PTSD, but I didn't know I had it, if you like. So I was making some very rash decisions.

"I was getting out very angry quickly at people. And so when I was diagnosed with PTSD in 2008 it was it was because of the lots of different reasons that all sort of accumulated into into one.

"I was doing things that I probably wouldn't do now, if that makes sense. And so I was drinking a bottle of whiskey every night thinking that was quite normal, which was obviously not and I was really struggling.

"I was really struggling to sort my head out and get it round things that happened and who I was and where I was. And also I was injured as well.

"Because of that I wasn't able to be the the soldier that I wanted to be, and that and that I found really difficult because that's all I'd done 20 years by that point.

"So I wanted to be a soldier and I just wanted to soldier on, if you like."

Jo went on to become a medallist at the London Invictus Games in 2014 and continues to support the troops.