David joined. I didn’t think it was going to be for him,
all the discipline, but he absolutely took to it. And it
has certainly brought him and me closer.
I undertook tours in Gibraltar, Cyprus and Iraq. In
the military, whether we agree with it or not, we don’t
get the luxury of not following orders. All we can do is
the job and trust that our senior officers and politicians
are addressing the key issues.
In September 2013, on one of the training courses
I got a bad fracture of the ball joint at the top of my
arm. While I was trying to recover it became obvious
that I wasn’t functioning at full capacity. I was getting
headaches, struggling to focus, making mistakes.
Eventually I was diagnosed with chronic fatigue
syndrome. Naturally your first response is: what do
I have to take or do to get over it? How soon can I get
back to full fitness? The doctor just shook his head and
said I needed to learn to manage it for the rest of my
life. I knew I’d lost my career. It was soul-destroying.
Our mum passed away in 2016. It hit both me and
Dave quite hard. But we supported each other. After
developing PTSD, Dave would definitely get overly
emotional about things. I don’t think he knew where
his own head was at. My own lowest point came in
May 2018 when the RAF medical board said, “You’ve
PORTRAIT BY PAUL STUART
STRANGE
HABITS
David on Antony
He pulls this
really weird face
to unblock one
nostril instead
of using his hand
to block one
and blow out
the otherAntony on David
He has a rather
bizarre habit
of tweaking
your nipplesstagnated. We’re going to have to part ways.” I hit
rock bottom. Who was I without my uniform, my
rank, my responsibilities?
The Games is an environment with lots of people
in similar positions who understand what you’re going
through. People to say it’s OK to cry, to struggle or take
the mickey out of somebody’s missing leg.
I originally applied for the Sydney Games in 2018.
I wasn’t well enough, but I felt Dave was. Going there
definitely changed him. It gave him a huge amount of
confidence that he was missing. And then he said right,
now it’s your turn to apply for this year’s Games. I’ve
loved seeing my brother as a vice-captain. The team
warms to him; he’s very inspirational and motivational.
I’m doing the 100 metres, rowing and powerlifting.
The RAF’s motto is through adversity to the stars.
I’d like to think I’ve applied that. It doesn’t matter what
adverse events happen to you, do something that gives
you a sense of pride and achievement. No matter what
your limits, just go for it nInterviews by Matthew Kayanja
The 2022 Invictus Games are on until Friday in the
Hague. Team UK and their families are supported
by Help for Heroes and the Royal British LegionThe Sunday Times Magazine • 7