Ex-military personnel returning to Kent’s civvy street are suffering long-term illness and traumatic stress disorder, including mental health and hearing problems.

While it is also a bleak picture when it comes to finding them suitable housing, there is a ray of sunshine on the employment front.

These were some of the findings from new research by the Kent and Medway Civilian Military Partnership Board about life outside the forces for recent veterans – some 700 of whom contributed.

Separate from those consulted, the board estimates Gravesham has 7,555 veterans and Dartford 6,883.

Latest findings were based on research conducted last year by the board, comprising officials from local government in Kent and Medway, the armed forces, and service charities.

Their aim was to establish how well ex-service people had adapted to life after leaving the military, and whether more help was needed for the estimated 129,000 veterans spread across the county.

Now an action plan has been promised to build on an Armed Forces Community Covenant which aims to ensure the veterans are not disadvantaged in accessing public services in Kent.

Tim Woolmer, KCC’s adviser on policy and partnerships, said the board’s latest conference at The Woodville, Gravesend, agreed to develop clear access routes for them and their families.

He said: “An action plan for the forthcoming year is being drawn up.”

The report’s findings revealed a number felt abandoned by the military when they left – losing their friends and their “armed forces family,” and they struggled to integrate into civilian life, a third have a long-term illness linked to time with the forces and 21% had post-traumatic stress disorder.

Half of these have a physical disability, around a quarter have mental health problems and hearing impairments and 37% said it was not at all easy or not very easy it to find suitable housing.

But when it came to employment and skills, the picture was more positive, with those still serving already doing vocational training recognised by employers, and those who have left mostly finding a job “reasonably quickly.”