Forgotten Heroes

Episode image for Forgotten Heroes

Duration: 59 minutes

Colonel Tim Collins, whose eve of battle speech before the invasion of Iraq brought him international fame, meets the soldiers who return home only to find that their service for Queen and country counts for little on civvy street.

In a Panorama Special, Collins meets veterans who struggle to find work and housing. He sleeps rough on the streets of Brighton with a former soldier who's spent much of the past six years either on the streets or in jail.

He meets veterans who fear for their sanity as they suffer flashbacks, night terrors and violent outbursts and talks to families who struggle to cope with the husbands and fathers who went to war, only to come home as strangers.

  • Iraq war hero 'sleeps rough' with former soldier

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    Panorama investigates the struggles of some former members of the British military as they face a return to civilian life.
    Colonel Tim Collins, whose inspirational speech to his troops on the eve of the Iraq war earned him widespread praise, spent the night sleeping rough on the streets of Brighton as he relived a dark time in the life of former soldier Mark Morgan from the Royal Regiment of Wales.

  • Army hero sleeps rough, hears about at-risk veterans

    Army hero sleeps rough, hears about at-risk veterans

    Iraq war hero Colonel Tim Collins spends a night sleeping rough in Brighton as he investigates the plight of vulnerable former soldiers.

    Read about Colonel Collins night on the streets

  • Forgotten Heroes - useful websites

    Forgotten Heroes - useful websites

    If you or someone you know is affected by the issues raised in Panorama: Homeless Heroes - help is available.
    The organisations below provide information, support and advice for veterans and their families.

    Resource details

  • Forgotten Heroes - join in the debate

    Forgotten Heroes - join in the debate

    Read other viewers comments on the programme or leave your own

  • Panorama 2000 to 2008

    Panorama 2000 to 2008

    If you'd like to know more about Panorama programmes dating between 2000-2008, including features, transcripts, video content and more, please click on the link below.

    Browse the Panorama archive

  • Legion: MoD needs to 'help us help' veterans at risk

    Legion: MoD needs to 'help us help' veterans at risk

    The Royal British Legion has called on the Ministry of Defence to help them help ex-service personnel back into society.

    Find out more

Credits

Participant
Colonel Tim Collins
Producer
Sarah Hey

Broadcasts

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