A DISABLED war veteran who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder said he was ‘transported back to a war zone’ on Armistice Day as Warminster School held an extravagant fireworks display.

Jim George, who broke his back in two places when he jumped over a high wall to dodge bullets while serving in Northern Ireland as part of the Scots Guard, said he curled up into a ball and was in tears as the school filled the skies above him with rockets.

The 64-year-old is angry that the school decided to hold the display on a day of remembrance and at the lack of notice.

“Around the time of Guy Fawkes I wear noise cancelling headphones to block out the sound of fireworks,” he said.

“If they had set them off around then I would have understood, but to set them off on Armistice Day, without any notice, is completely disrespectful.

“They weren’t small fireworks either, they were loud enough to make the floor shake. It was like bombs were going off around me.

“I completely zoned out, it was absolutely terrifying.”

Mr George’s son, Sam, sent an email to Warminster School’s headteacher Mark Mortimer, who has also served in the military, the following day to complain.

In reply, the 38-year-old was told that the school’s immediate neighbours were informed and that the ‘focal point’ of Armistice Day is around 11am, adding that the evening is ‘not sacrosanct’.

Jim George was not happy with the response.

He added: “I felt belittled. The first part, in which he explained that he is aware of PTSD, is fine, but to tell me only the morning of Armistice Day is important is arrogant.

“I lost a lot of friends in Northern Ireland and I wanted to remember them that day, not have to deal with trauma.”

PTSD is a psychiatric disorder which commonly sets in after someone is involved in military conflict. Charles Sandbach, director of charity PTSD Action, said it is a condition which worsens and one which is claimsing one veteran to suicide every two weeks.

Mr Mortimer said: “We would not dream of hosting a loud event at 11am on Armistice Day, however, I do not agree with Mr George that the evening of November 11 is sacrosanct to the extent that fireworks or any other form of celebration are inappropriate.

“We are sorry that Mr George and his father were upset by the fireworks and have replied to Mr George to apologise that they were not informed in advance.”

To find out more about PTSD Action, visit: http://www.ptsdaction.co.uk/