09/12/2020
‘Hide Little Boy’ by Paul Parks
A Review
‘Hide Little Boy’ is a compelling read and one which will resonate with veterans of all ages but
particularly those who served up to the nineties, maybe beyond? It should also be a ‘must read’ for
any person in authority that oversees support services to the military community.
Paul Parks, the author, candidly and courageously opened up his box of demons in a readable and
chronological format, illustrating how accumulated events and trauma impacted on his life from
childhood, through military service with the Parachute Regiment and 21 SAS, often aggravated by
the power and uncritical belief of a military culture, and then after his return back in the community.
The latter included long service with the Church of England, as a padre.
What Paul describes about institutions his family had to interface with, might be described as
‘disgraceful’. The church and local government bodies, seemingly established to support people in
need, including those with mental ill health, are shown to be seriously wanting. Paul illustrates in
detail how by their institutionalised protectionism, pre-judgement, lack of ability to empathise,
ignorance, and hypocrisy were able, even in the 21st Century, to almost destroy people’s lives,
whilst remaining unaccountable. He candidly writes about how those holding decision making
positions, even at the highest level, appeared to lack moral courage or responsibility for their
subordinates whilst exhibiting arrogance.
Paul talks of a personal inspiration through a realisation that there existed a higher being, even at a
young age. One which gave him strength when confronted with abuse and bullying, one which lifted
his spirits and resolve when everyone appeared out to demolish him and his family. The latter,
which confused him, especially from those in the church, all without consideration of his diagnosed
serious mental illness that culminated from his experiences on active service up to 1981.
Paul recognises and so do other veterans who know him, that his family meant everything to him.
His wife’s courage in standing by him, because she would say, ‘We are right!’ equalled Paul’s in
fighting the final rounds of ‘abuse’ from those he expected support from.
Whilst Paul and his family should not have had such an experience, they have won through.
By putting pen to paper about his life’s story, telling the world openly, this is an endeavour and
achievement few would make. Paul tenacity over three years of therapy makes him more
determined to influence those concerned and named in his book along with others, to reflect
whether their actions and attitudes were conducive to compassion, caring or understanding of
veterans suffering from PTSD. He would say they were not but should be, from today!
Like other veteran authors, Paul has lifted the lid on a subject, perhaps more topical than many
might think, with the advent of Covid 19. That is about how we address trauma related PTSD and
mental ill health. The experiences of veterans over the past two decades may sadly be replicated
for those from sectors of the broader community, NHS, blue light services, and such, maybe for
decades ahead, as a result of Covid.
That is why ‘Hide Little Boy’ should be widely read. If it creates debate, argument and brings about
a better understanding of this aspect of mental health, Paul’s book will have made the contribution
he wants. If it influences change in institutional processes leading to improved support for those
unfortunate to have mental ill health, he would have made a difference.
‘Hide Little Boy’ Published by Publishing Push .com
ISBN 978-1-913704-81-0
ISBN 978-1-913704-82-7
Available from author via [email protected] £12.99 Kindle from Amazon £6.99
