THE WIFE of an ex-rifleman from Christchurch has said that a lack of support from the military after his service contributed to his death.

Alicia Davis said has criticised a ‘lack of intervention’ to help her husband Jamie through PTSD.

Mr Davis, 30, went missing on Friday night. His friends immediately shared photographs on social media and joined the police in a widescale search.

However, a police statement confirmed his body was found on Saturday morning in the Totton area.

Mrs Davis said: “He heard over the radio that his best mate get shot in the head and die, he was involved in IED explosions and he has been shot at.

“However, when he came back, he received no help from the army and it still seems as though nothing is being brought forward.

“Jamie went through severe PTSD and I was worried about him getting any help. He would get referred to doctors, but they wouldn’t know how to deal with it.”

Daily Echo:

Although a happy, smiling man on the surface, Mr Davis suffered from severe night terrors. His PTSD was triggered by fire alarms and crowded spaces.

He was 18 when he deployed out to Iraq and 19 when he was sent on his first tour of Afghanistan for 4 Rifles.

“The fact that servicemen put their bodies on the line for their country and sacrifice everything, you would at least expect there to be help in place when they come back to the UK,” Mrs Davis said.

“I have no problem with people going out to represent their country at war, but you will see so much stuff at that age which can affect you in later life.

“They risk everything for all of us and it’s disgusting that the help isn’t there when they need it.”

Veterans minister offers condolences to family of former rifleman Jamie Davis

Mr Davis had two young sons, 11-year-old Brandon, who is autistic, and eight-year-old Freddy.

He played tighthead prop for East Dorset RFC and was a key member to the team both on and off the pitch.

When it was announced Jamie gone missing on Friday night, many of his teammates at East Dorset lent a hand with spreading the appeal on social media and helping with search efforts.

“I couldn’t believe the support and how many people helped out, they dropped everything to try and find him,” said Alicia.

“When we found out on Saturday morning, I had heard they all the boys had met up at the club. So, I made a point of going down there to tell them the news and pass on my thanks in trying to look for him. They were all gutted.

“Since then the support I have had has been brilliant, guys have been messaging me to see if I am OK and whether I need any help with shopping or the kids.”

Daily Echo:

Morgan Edwards, captain of the East Dorset Ladies Team, set up a crowdfunding page on GoFundMe, which has raised nearly £4,500 for the family in just a couple of days.

She said: “He was our number three, a fantastic player and a really wonderful guy. He would be at every fundraiser or event at the club.

“First of all, we would like to help his family out and cover the initial costs. His passing was very untimely for the family so we would like to help them out as best we could

“We’re looking to donate the money left over from the fundraiser to a charity of his wife’s choice.

“We also want to see what we can do within the sport to promote mental health.”

Members of the local rugby community have pulled together in sending their condolences and agreeing to host fundraisers in Jamie’s name.

Alicia said: “My youngest son has been saving up his Christmas money and pocket money for months now.

“When I showed him the GoFundMe page and he saw how much people were donating and the messages they had left on the page, he decided he wanted to donate all of the money which had saved up to the crowdfunding page.

“He said he wanted his daddy to go to a good place.”

To donate, visit gofundme.com/f/jamie-davis-memorial-fund