A FORMER Royal Marine who suffered the horrors of war himself is taking to the stage to thank the First World War generation.

Jez Scarratt, from Taunton, is among 15 comrades at this month's Edinburgh Fringe arts festival in a veterans' drama based on real life stories of wounded and ill ex-services personnel.

All are members of Bravo 22 Company, a military arts-based recovery programme, presenting Unspoken, a moving and often funny play exploring the aftermath of trauma and injury.

The production is dedicated to The Royal British Legion and Poppy Scotland’s Thank You movement, which aims to thank the First World War generation.

Unspoken is set in a club where a disparate regiment of soldiers, sailors and airmen chat, drink and watch live entertainment, reflecting the experiences of love, loss, loneliness and hope for sick and wounded veterans.

Jez, who has post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), said: "Just being there at the world’s biggest arts festival is going to be an experience in itself. I’ve never classed myself as an actor, so for myself this is very gratifying.

"I love working alongside like-minded people and getting the message of PTSD across to our audience."

He became a Commando in 1975, deploying to Northern Ireland in 1977, doing three Arctic tours to Norway, jungle warfare training in Belize and serving on HMS Brighton.

In 1982 as the unit prepared to deploy to the Falklands, he had a motorbike crash when returning to camp, leading to serious injury and his right leg being amputated below the knee.

Following his discharge, Jez was involved in various film and TV work as a background artist, including working with Brad Pitt on Fury and in Hollywood blockbusters including Wonder Woman and Kingsman. He’s also been in TV series such as 24, Poldark and the 2016 Sherlock Christmas Special.

Speaking of Jez and his fellow Unspoken actors, playwright Gary Kitching said: "These aren’t people who want sympathy. They just want to tell their story and be better understood.

"People go into the forces and it changes their lives, not always for the worse. But some are injured – it may be physical and visible or something unseen.

"I spoke to people all round the country and have tried to reflect their stories and experiences, characters, culture and the challenges they face."

The play is supported by actor Ray Winstone, Bravo 22 Company's ambassador, who said: "This is a play and a cast with something important to say. It’s not sentimental, it’s not sugar coated, and it’s very real."