For many young boys, dreams revolve around football stadiums or heroic adventures.
For Rob Homans, it was the latter.
He had the talent to make it big in football — Birmingham City scouts had already spotted him — but his heart was set on wearing the British Army uniform.
The excitement of serving his country was stronger than any sporting ambition.
At just 19, Rob was deployed to Afghanistan for his first tour.
Two years later, he went again, determined to give his all for the nation he loved.
But what was once a proud journey into military life eventually became the source of unbearable pain that would follow him home.
A Mother’s Grief Over a Son’s Silent Battle
Rob’s mother, Dawn Turner, still finds it hard to talk about her son without tears.
She describes him as “broken” when he returned from the army — a different man from the bright-eyed teenager who once dreamed of serving his country.
In August, at only 35, Rob took his own life.
It was a devastating moment for Dawn, who believes her son’s mental health struggles stemmed from what he experienced during and after his military service.
“It doesn’t seem real,” she told The Daily Mail.
“I hope he knew how much we loved him. I feel like I failed him.”
But Dawn isn’t just mourning.
She’s angry — determined to hold the system accountable for what she calls its “failures.”
In her words, “The gloves are off. I’m not going to stop until I get justice for him and make sure no other veteran goes through this.”
From Battlefield to Bureaucracy: The Struggle After Service
Life after the army was far from easy for Rob.
Although he tried to start over in 2015 — landing a new job and getting married — things quickly fell apart.
Physical ailments, including severe headaches, digestive problems, and hearing loss from gunfire, began to take their toll.
His marriage crumbled, and he soon lost both his home and job, forcing him to move back in with his mother.
As Dawn explained, “He had to start all over again, and that’s when the demons came out to play.”
Rob’s emotional pain deepened into despair, and by 2019, he had attempted suicide for the first time.
Despite reaching out for help, he was told that the waiting list for mental health services was six months long — a delay that could mean life or death for struggling veterans.
That same year, Dawn decided to take action by founding Stepway, a charity supporting veterans battling mental health challenges.
“We saved so many lives,” she said, her voice trembling, “but I couldn’t save my own son.”
The Desperate Fight for Housing and Dignity
Rob’s problems weren’t limited to mental health — even finding a place to live became a battle.
Despite the Armed Forces Covenant stating that veterans should be prioritized for social housing, Worcester City Council reportedly told him he wasn’t a priority.
Instead, they offered him a room in a shared HMO far away from his friends and family — in an area known for drug abuse.
Rob, who had worked hard to stay clean after battling addiction, refused the offer.
The council’s response? His housing application was closed, and he was marked as “not engaging.”
Dawn remembers the pain on his face that day.
“He stood outside crying and said, ‘The system is broken, Mum. Look.’
Then he pointed at two veterans sleeping in a doorway.”
Rob had pleaded for fairness, questioning why temporary housing was available for refugees but not for veterans like him who had served their country.
“I fought for this country,” he told his mum, “and it means nothing.”
The Final Days Before Tragedy
Despite his struggles, Rob tried to find moments of joy.
In August, he attended his brother’s wedding — dancing, smiling, and catching up with old friends.
He called his army mates to reconnect, perhaps in a quiet farewell no one recognized at the time.
Just days later, on August 22, Rob was found dead.
He had finally succeeded in ending the pain that had haunted him for years.
His brother and sister-in-law were still on their honeymoon when they got the devastating call.
A Family’s Unanswered Questions
Dawn now wonders if her son may have suffered from a traumatic brain injury linked to his service.
She believes many of his symptoms pointed to it, but a proper post-mortem could not be completed because the local morgue was closed during a bank holiday, causing vital evidence to deteriorate.
This uncertainty has become another wound for the grieving family — one that may never fully heal.
Building “Rob’s Army” for Change
Out of her pain, Dawn has built something powerful: Rob’s Army, a campaign demanding justice for veterans failed by government systems.
The movement calls for accountability, reform, and lasting policy changes to protect former soldiers struggling with mental health, housing, and healthcare.
She believes the Office for Veterans’ Affairs should become an independent body — immune to political changes and dedicated to consistent, long-term support.
“Without stability,” she said, “we’ll keep seeing the same broken patterns, where policies change and people get lost in the shuffle.”
Dawn argues that funding should go directly to frontline organizations — those working hand-in-hand with veterans every day — instead of being buried in bureaucracy.
“Charities are doing their best,” she explained, “but without proper coordination, it’s like herding cats.”
Official Responses and Ongoing Investigations
A spokesperson from Worcester City Council expressed sympathy for Rob’s family, stating, “Our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of Robert Homans.”
#However, the council declined to comment further on the housing situation.
The Worcestershire Coroner Service confirmed that investigations into Rob’s death are ongoing and promised to continue working closely with his family.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defence released a statement offering condolences and highlighting ongoing government efforts to support veterans.
According to the MOD, over £25 million has been invested into Operation Courage, a mental health initiative for veterans, along with £3.5 million for homelessness services and £50 million for the new Valour Programme, aimed at improving veteran care nationwide.
A Mother’s Promise That Won’t Fade
Though government promises continue, Dawn Turner refuses to let her son’s death become just another statistic.
Her mission is clear — to ensure that Rob’s story forces the country to confront its broken systems and take real action.
“I think he did die for his country,” she said quietly.
“Not in battle, but because of the failures that came after it — the lack of support, the indifference. I’ll keep fighting for him until my last breath.”