A FRONT-LINE war veteran says “lost lives should be marked” in the anniversary of the Gulf War.

Glenn Fitzpatrick, who grew up in Hampton Crescent in Gravesend and suffered from post-traumatic stress syndrome after the war, told News Shopper he is saddened that nothing has been done to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the beginning of the Gulf War.

The 39-year-old said: “It’s a sad state of affairs nothing has been done to mark it.

“Any major conflict that costs lives should be marked- these are important events in time and we are meant to learn from them.

“I have had a hell of a journey in life - going to war feels like only yesterday for me and I have mixed emotions about it.”

Mr Fitzpatrick joined the Queen’s Royal Irish Hussars as a tank driver at the age of 18 and was immediately sent out to fight in the Gulf, which started on August 2, 1990 and finished on February 28, 1991.

After he left the army at 21, he went on to study fine art in Canterbury, which, he told News Shopper, helped him express his feelings about war.

He is now planning on holding an art exhibition, RivArt, to mark the anniversary, and will donate some of the proceeds to Help for Heroes, a charity set up for wounded soldiers.

He said: “My heart bleeds for them.

“They are such a worthy cause and I’ll always campaign for them.

“More should be done to commemorate what they’ve done.

“I want to help soldiers who came out of war less fortunate than myself.”

Mr Fitzpatrick told News Shooper that art saved him in his fight to adapt back to his life after the war.

He said: “Life really has been a struggle for me but I have always persevered.

“When I got out of the army, I was so lost.

“Life was very difficult reintegrating back into society, but art was my way of helping me do this.

“I’m one of the lucky ones who had a focus to bail me out.

“I’ve remained positive and will continue to use art as a way to speak positively.”

Mr Fitzpatrick has also written a book, Arts and Mines, which will be on show at the exhibition and offers insights into life in the army.

He said: “I think I and Gravesend need to be noticed for the potential raw talent of the place.

“I want to put on the best show I can and I truly believe Gravesend could be a great cultural centre with lots to offer.

”Most importantly, I want to commemorate what soldiers have done in the war.”

The RivArt exhibition will take place from August 12 until August 18 at the Riva Bar in West Street, Gravesend, and will be showcasing images from the Symbol of Society and Enhuement series.

The artwork will depict what life was like in the war and will represent different power struggles present in warfare.

Mr Fitzpatrick said: “I want to spark a regeneration of creative culture in Gravesend.

“Hopefully more artists will come to the exhibition and start contributing to the scene.”