Nathan Pickering, a 34-year-old father from Bury, has been diagnosed with complex post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and early-onset dementia after serving in the British Army in Afghanistan and Iraq. His story is the latest in a series from the Manchester Evening News highlighting individuals who have overcome extreme trauma.
A Troubled Start
Growing up, Nathan experienced a volatile family life, moving frequently before being thrown out at age 16. He lived on a pier in Cromer, Norfolk, before being taken in by relatives in Darwen, near Blackburn. At 16, he joined the Army, determined to find purpose.
Initially struggling with training, Nathan earned an endeavour award after turning a corner. He served with the 2nd Battalion, Duke of Lancaster's, and met his wife, Joanna, in Cyprus in 2008. He describes her as his 'backbone'.
Deployments and Trauma
In 2010, Nathan was deployed to Nad-e Ali in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, where he witnessed mass casualties and searched for improvised explosive devices (IEDs). He recalls earning a reputation among commanding officers for his reactions under fire. 'Everything I went through as a child prepared me for that moment,' he says.
One close call occurred in 'IED Alley', where a local father warned him of a Taliban ambush after Nathan had given sweets to the man's child. But the closeness to locals also brought pain: 'There was a doctor that I got very close to on the second tour. He got brought to me in a bin bag.'
Nathan also served in Mosul, Iraq, in 2016 as head of security, training Iraqi forces. He bonded with men knowing they might die soon. The death of his second in command deeply affected him, and he struggled to explain it to the soldier's mother.
Diagnosis and Support
After his medical discharge due to complex PTSD, Nathan turned to alcohol. With his wife's encouragement, he sought help from veteran services, including Walking With The Wounded (WWTW). He became a passionate advocate for better support for veterans.
In 2024, Nathan was diagnosed with early-onset dementia. Despite this, he continues to coach football, a passion that gives him purpose. Through WWTW, he gained coaching qualifications and now works with Bury FC and Irlam FC.
'Time has become precious. It's not easy some days but I am so busy and motivated,' Nathan says. 'I would be lost without my football.'
Steve McGuire, IPS Employment Advisor at WWTW, says: 'Nathan's journey shows what can be achieved with the right support. From training to launching his own coaching business, he's an inspiration.'
