Mark's Story

“All I wanted to do was fly” was Flt Lt Mark Fowler’s aim as he joined the Royal Air Force in 1986.

Following Marks training through RAF Cranwell, his career path took him down the multi-engine route and in 1990 he found himself posted to 47 Sqn based at RAF Lyneham flying the C130 Hercules. After three years and an operational tour he was transferred to 30 Sqn as a captain.

Over five years of operational flying was not without its incidents. It was while on a night flight into the Middle East where Mark earned a flying endorsement. He had delivered his payload, turned the aircraft around and took off to head home, when the ailerons jammed at 10,000 feet. For over half an hour Mark battled the controls, knowing full well that a £45 million aircraft and the lives of the 5 man crew and passengers were in his hands. Mark managed to turn the aircraft and get it back down on the ground in one piece.

His flying career also included special operational duties which involved being the first RAF aircraft to fly around the former USSR carrying senior officers and intelligence personnel as part of the
Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty.

Having spent 2½ years with 30 Sqn, Mark left to run the Hercules upgrade project at RAF High Wycombe. His success with this gave him the choice for his next posting. Choosing multi-engined jets with a mind to a possible future career with a civil airline, Mark moved to RAF Brize Norton to convert to the VC10. Towards the end of the course, sat on the tarmac at RAF Bruggen (Germany) Mark inhaled dangerously toxic chemicals during a cockpit fire.

In the weeks following, Mark noticed his health beginning to deteriorate. Hot and cold flushes, slowed reactions, lack of concentration and total exhaustion from many sleepless nights prompted a visit to the station medical officer. Immediately Mark was sent for an MRI scan, which revealed serious brain damage.

Worsening health, stress and worry led to severe depression and symptoms of post traumatic stress. Now seriously ill from his injuries, his self confidence completely destroyed, the depression really took hold. Despair and desperation drove him to attempt to end his life. From a highly regarded pilot in the RAF to a physical wreck, near death in an intensive care unit in such a short space of time, Mark’s world had completely collapsed, all due to an accident that wasn’t his fault.

A chance letter written by Mark was picked up by the Veterans Welfare Service who enjoy a very close working relationship with the RAF Association welfare team in Mark’s area. It was Chris Francis, the Area Welfare Officer (left, with Mark) for the South West, who was called on to make contact with Mark.

“If RAFA hadn’t come to the door that day I don’t know where I’d be now” - Mark

Chris explains “It was a difficult first visit, Mark was very reluctant to talk to me, but I listened to his story, and at the end told him not to worry and that RAFA would help him in any way that we could.”
Chris has helped Mark in so many different ways. “Mark’s case has been very complicated, he has had a multitude of problems on top of the injuries he suffered from his accident, including severe depression, alcohol abuse, financial and legal problems.

Over time we have supported Mark through all of his problems and gradually helped him rebuild his life”.

Chris has spent a great deal of time and effort to ensure that Mark receives the full and correct pension benefits that he is entitled to. “War pensions and tribunals are important aspects of
the work of RAFA,” explained Chris Francis “guiding veterans like Mark through the tribunal process is something that RAFA does well”.

It took three attempts to get Mark to the right level of war pension that he was entitled to. This successful outcome will ensure that Mark has a stable platform, free from financial worries and he can move forward with his life.

For over ten years, since being medically discharged from the RAF, it has been a long and difficult journey for Mark. With support from RAFA, Mark has started to rebuild his life. He has started his
own photography business and examples of his stunning work can be seen at http://www.markfowlerimages.com/ and below

“My health problems will be with me for the rest of my life, so I have to take life one day at a time. Some days are better than others, but now I know that I have a friend in Chris and support from the RAF Association."

“I don’t know where I would be without RAFA, so please may I urge you to support their work. It makes a really big difference to RAF veterans both young and old – take it from someone who knows from bitter experience”.

- Flt Lt Mark Fowler.

Some of Mark’s work

A Brief Reminder of the Work that we do

• Identify those who need assistance.
• We visited 1161 war pensioners and widows, helped 77 people claim a war pension, helped and supported 117 at Pension Appeal Tribunals. Last year we secured over £222,000 through
  war pension tribunals .
• Undertake 25,000 welfare visits each year
• Provide respite breaks for those with medical or welfare needs
• Offer sheltered housing
• Provide support and advice and when necessary
• Get funding from other organisations

An Idea of What your money can do

• Your donation, large or small can make a significant impact on someone’s life.
• £15 could help support the cost of a Welfare Officer
• £30 could assist in transportation to and from a war pensions tribunal for someone with mobility problems
• £50 could help to fund a respite break for someone who has suffered serious illness, is recovering from an operation or has lost someone they love.

117½ Loughborough Road, Leicester, LE4 5ND Phone: 0116 266 5224 Fax: 0116 266 5012
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