"That is mostly, I think, to do with they way they've been treated - or rather NOT been treated - since they got home."

That's always been the way. After the Peninsular war (1808-1814) there were thousands of old soldiers roaming the country, looking for work and unable to find any due to economical cirucmstances or disability. It's been the same situation after each and every military campaign the British Army has ever been involved in. These young men were ripped from their homes and trained to kill. When they were no longer able or no longer required, they were just dropped back home with no thought for their futures. So much for our 'home fit for heroes'.

LTS