A veteran who knew he was going to die recorded an emotional message praising the charity that helped him quit drinking and gave him a “two-year extension” to his life.
Terry Jones, who died from pancreatic cancer in 2011, filmed a documentary in his final weeks praising Veterans Aid, one of the charities at the heart of the Evening Standard’s Homeless Veterans campaign.
Mr Jones, 59, sought help from the charity after hitting rock bottom as an alcoholic, sleeping rough and smoking cigarettes from the street.
In desperation he flipped a coin to decide whether to buy another bottle or seek help. The coin showed heads, so he knocked on the door of the Veterans Aid drop-in centre in Victoria.
The charity found him a place in a rehabilitation centre and he was sober for the final two years of his life, during which time he got back in touch with his sister Sheila.
He moved into New Belvedere House, the charity’s hostel in Stepney, and later into his own flat in Bow.
In a remarkable transformation he began working at Veterans Aid helping other former servicemen and women who sought help like himself. It was after he had turned his life around that he was diagnosed with cancer. On the film he said: “Two years ago I was a hopeless alcoholic. I asked for help from Veterans Aid which saved my life. I got two year’s extension. Time to put a lot of things right. Not many people get that chance.”
He and his sister Sheila had drifted apart while he was drinking, and she credits the charity for returning her brother to her, saying: “I can’t say enough good things about Veterans Aid. I think he would have died if he hadn’t gone to Veterans Aid. They were an amazing two years, he was like a whole different person.” Mr Jones served in the Army, the Merchant Navy and the Territorial Army. His life was captured on film for Veterans Aid in the hope it might inspire other former servicemen and women to seek help.
In the film he spoke about his upbringing in Royal Mint Street, near the Tower of London, and how he used to play truant from school and spend time in the Tower instead.
When he was 12 he won a part in the West End show Oliver as an understudy for the Artful Dodger. He also performed in Hair after walking on stage naked to win the part.
He decided to join the Army after his girlfriend, a model, died and he saw a recruitment poster.
Hugh Milroy, CEO of Veterans Aid, said: “I saw Terry every working day for the last few years of his life. Veterans Aid gave him his life back and he enjoyed every precious hard won moment.
“I visited him in the hospice near the end. As we said goodbye, he stood up with all his medical tubes attached and saluted me.
“I saluted back with my eyes brimming with tears.
“The military and Veterans Aid had meant so much to him.”
For more on the appeal visit this link homelessveterans.co.uk/
