Aeran Taylor survived the horrors of war, but the battle that claimed his life was one fought at home.
The 38-year-old Iraq War veteran, who suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), was found dead in his Crawley home in October 2023 after an accidental overdose. His tragic death has sparked a warning from a senior coroner, who fears an entire community of former soldiers remains at risk.
Taylor, a former Royal Regiment of Fusiliers soldier, had been dismissed from the Army for substance misuse in 2006, shortly after completing a six-month tour in Iraq. His dismissal came without any apparent clinical assessment of his mental health, despite clear signs of psychological distress.
Though he later sought help through Combat Stress, a veterans’ mental health charity, and even worked alongside them, Taylor never fully escaped the grip of PTSD and addiction. His passing has once again highlighted serious gaps in long-term care and rehabilitation for former military personnel.
“A Whole Community at Risk”
West Sussex coroner Joseph Turner did not hold back in his findings. In a Prevention of Future Deaths report, he warned that many veterans may be unaware of the support available to them.
“Those now serving may be more aware, but there appears to be a community of veterans at risk who remain unaware,” Turner stated.
He also pointed to the lack of fully funded, long-term rehabilitation for veterans suffering from PTSD, especially for those diagnosed years after leaving the Armed Forces. His verdict was clear: without urgent action, more veterans could lose their lives.
A Plea for Change
Combat Stress, the charity Taylor was involved with, has called for the military to rethink its approach to soldiers who fail drug tests.
“Sadly, we know from some of the veterans we treat that during their military careers, they turned to illegal substances while battling with their trauma,” said Chloe Mackay, the charity’s chief executive.
“What they needed was compassion and help in accessing mental health treatment.”
The charity is urging the military to assess failed drug tests on a case-by-case basis rather than enforcing automatic dismissal, an approach that, in cases like Taylor’s, can leave veterans without the critical support they need.
They also issued a direct appeal to struggling veterans, reminding them that help is available 24/7 through their confidential helpline at 0800 138 1619.
A Veteran Remembered
Taylor himself once spoke openly about his struggles. In a 2019 video with Combat Stress, he admitted that life after the military had left him “lost”.
“I wouldn’t leave my flat for about six months, I wouldn’t answer the door, I was scared if my phone rang,” he said.
His friend, Daniel Cooper, paid tribute to him online, calling him a “brave veteran who fought not only on the battlefield but also against the relentless demons of mental health.”
“Despite the unwavering love and support of his family and friends, Aeran tragically felt that his only escape was to stop fighting.”
Taylor’s death is a devastating reminder that while some scars of war are visible, others remain hidden. His story has ignited an urgent conversation about how the system treats struggling veterans, and how many more lives may be at stake.
