John Mayhead served in Iraq in 2005 as a company commander in the Coldstream Guards. In the years that followed, he developed PTSD which led into chronic depression and anxiety. This is his story of illness and eventual recovery, leading to his place in this year’s Walk of America.

Strangely, it wasn’t the obvious trauma that most affected me. The horrors of war – luck separating the unscathed and the maimed, dead friends, wounded children – these are the awful reality of combat but one that my Army training had prepared me for since the day, aged 19, I had joined.

Kemsley is one of the core UK team members taking part in the Walk Of America this year. He served with the Royal Signals for 15 years, a job he loved, but he is currently awaiting medical discharge. Kemsley struggles with repeated double shoulder dislocations which have severely impaired his physical and sporting abilities, and thus his ability to remain within the Army. He is passionate about helping and encouraging other ex-servicemen and women to come forward and seek support, and to shine the spotlight on those, who like him, feel that they aren’t injured ‘enough’ to warrant support.

We spoke to Kemsley this week about the upcoming expedition…

Jonny, 28, is one of the core Walk Of America 2018 UK team members. He joined the Army to find a sense of identity, purpose and belonging. Jonny served with the Royal Anglian for 8 years but was medically discharged in 2016 due to a shoulder injury and mental health difficulties. He began sofa surfing immediately after leaving the forces as he had no home to go to, but he is currently a resident of The Beacon, a specialist veterans support centre which aids veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.